Meggos Purls

Tumbling to TNNA.

2011-06-02T12:10:00.000-07:00

Since I am so abysmal at updating my blog I decided to try and new venue, Tumblr. Gail and I are getting ready to go out to TNNA on June 9th, with Adam and Claire, our buddies and partners in crime from The Stitchery in Purl River. Rapt with anticipation and desire to get out as much of the sights, sounds and excitement from TNNA as possible and Tumblr provides us with the perfect platform.

So check me out over there. I will try and do some formal posting here, but since I now have a new app to play with on my iPhone I am betting on a flurry of activity over there.

Yankees/Bestie Weekend: trying to shake the post-Doctor Who funk

2011-04-19T13:31:00.000-07:00

After hours of marathon watching and knitting I finished all the current seasons of Doctor Who in record time. I feel an emptiness inside where the Doctor was filling my time and now have been searching for things that are as exciting and stimulating. So far nothing has quite filled the void the Doctor has left, as it is with all his former companions.

In his wake my knitting has become slightly monotonous, unchallenging and, therefore, unsatisfying. I feel I need a project of epic proportions to really get me going again. I am still puttering along with my assigned projects, and am humming away on a few designs, but unfortunately they are all currently in stocking stitch or garter mode and I am loosing my mojo. I need something new, really new. I find myself day-dreaming of complex cable motifs, fair-isle steeking, and involved lacework. Something like a modification of this beauty:

Season of Darkness and Winter Light

But alas, without significant time, resources and patience for modifying, this project will be but a dream for awhile. So I decided to put down my knitting for a few days and do other things to get me wanting the ol' needles and string again.

This weekend I went to my besties house, we drank wine, ate delicious foods, slept, got up and ate more delicious foods,

(mmmm...bareburger's chicken and waffle brunch)

went shopping for silly things,

hung out with a little furry friend,

took a nap, read,

and went to a Yankees game,

where I admired this gentleman's frock...

...whilst waiting in line for more delicious foods. We really know what works for us and that's what makes our friendship so great. By the time I came home I felt much better, being away from the day-to-day on-goings of life for even a short break works wonders.

I am still pondering my next knitting move, meanwhile, I will finish this scarf, made with scrumptious Sawya by Mirasol Yarns,

and probably start another project, Ana, which I have been dying to make, but involves mostly stocking stitch. So much for getting out of my funk.

The Cure for the "Boyfriend Sweater"

2011-03-30T15:53:00.000-07:00

We all have heard the curse of the boyfriend sweater. Women and men around the globe recoil at its name; all knitter's know someone who has suffered the curse. For years people have tried to talk it down, saying thing along the lines of: "It doesn't matter, I want to make it for him. It'll be okay, right?" We quietly sit by, listening, nodding along, knowing that he or she is about to bring the curse upon them. But once a knitter's decides to venture into "boyfriend sweater" territory, there is no talking them out of it.

Which bring me to this weekend's riff-raff symposium. Our newest member informed us that she is about to make Jared Flood's Cobblestone Sweater, the ultimate boyfriend sweater. I looked at her inquisitively, with a sense of dread, until she said, "I'm going to make it in my boyfriend's size so he can wear it too." She said this with no guilt or insecurity hanging behind her words, which can only mean one thing, she genuinely is making the sweater for herself, leaving the option for him to wear it.

I had a * head desk *, slaps forehead moment. OF COURSE! My hypothesis is thus, if you make the sweater for yourself the curse could be negated. The tricky part of my theory is that the knitter must sincerely be making the sweater for his/herself, with the boyfriend being a part-time wearer.

Years later, when you are admiring your knitwear modeled by your man, or wearing the sweater that you knit for yourself (boy or no boy present) you can feel happy about the presence of the garment and not have an abandoned lump of wooly resentment lurking in the back of your closet.

I feel I am on to something here, but fortunately, I won't be one to test it right now. BUT, Jared released another drool worthy pattern, Brownstone, intended for men, but is really unisex. I'll be making it in a size larger than my normal, for comfort, but if I do happen to have a boy later who wants to wear it I can hand it over...without the curse looking over my shoulder.

I think a new KAL is in order: The Cure for the Boyfriend Sweater KAL. What do we think?

Sunday Fun-Day: Doctor Who Edition

2011-03-27T18:03:00.000-07:00

Here are the facts:

1. I am currently into my second day of Doctor Who-A-Thon.

(Chiton KAL: This picture was taken hours ago; I am working on the cowl neck.)

2. Being a huge nerd of almost unimaginable proportion, I am completely addicted and in love with this show.

3. I am very grateful and love Mark for lending me his collection. (I love him any way, but this deepens our friendship down to the nerdiest and most lovable level.)

4. Many of these discs are Blue Ray. :D

5. Although I love my parents, I am happy they have left for the weekend leaving me completely access to the 42" flat screen and Blue Ray. (March Madness was literally sending me into true madness!)

6. Watching TV for hours on end is mainly a stationary activity, therefore, I have completed much knitting.

(Ishbel, made with Silky Alpaca Lace, 2409 Lake Chad)

7. I will take better pictures of Ishbel.

8. Whenever I finish a lot of knitting I think about all the knitting I will do in the future.

(Manos Del Uruguay Serena and Lang Jawoll Magic for Akimbo; Silky Malabrigo and Tilli Thomas Symphony TBD)

p.s. Happy Birthday Carol! I was listening to Sergeant Pepper and some of the lyrics to "When I'm Sixty-Four seemed too coincidental not to mention:

Will you still be sending me a valentine
Birthday greetings bottle of wine?..... (lunacy?) :-P

I could be handy mending a fuse
When your lights have gone.
You can knit a sweater by the fireside (it's probably grey or white?)
Sunday mornings go for a ride.

~The Beatles, "When I'm Sixty-Four"

The book that brings the Spring.

2011-03-20T13:04:00.001-07:00

"When you read Anna Karenina it will instantly be Spring." My 19th century literature professor said this to our class on the day he told us we would be starting the Tolstoy classic. He said it with such joy that the bleak February day seemed a bit brighter, and made me rethink that the 1000 page book sitting in front of me would be less than the slog I thought it would be.

In the weeks to follow the weather magically turned warm, the snow melted, and the air smelled new. He was right. He was usually right.

On the first day of class, to the lucky few of us who made it through the gauntlet of registration week, Iija said, with a twinkle in his sharp blue eyes, "This class is dreadfully over-registered, but I can assure you there is no magic in this room." The air stood still for a moment, and then he laughed a loud, deep, lion laugh that echoed in the walls and warmed the room. He stood up from table and began a game of charades. He paced back and forth, bent over like a towering question mark, rocking his arms, and occasionally flicking his white hair over his head. We found out after much guessing and flailing that he was trying for The Brothers Karamazov, but, needless to say, by the end of the hour we were all enchanted by a man who seemed to possess an omnipotent force of love, knowledge, and even some magic.

Over the course of the year I read more big books than I could have imagined, and enjoyed them all. But more importantly, I found myself in those books, in the class and in Iija's love and zeal for each of his students. I am forever in his debt because he gave me something I thought I would never find, a transcendent connection to humanity, which some call ecstasy, some call God, some call Beauty. "It was as if threads from all those innumerable words if God all came together in [my] soul..." (Karamazov, pg. 362, Pevear)

Which brings me back to Anna Karenina, one of the most powerful of those books which catapulted me smack into ecstasy. I read Anna over six years ago, but passages of it are always floating through my head, forever shaping my consciousness. One of those passages, strangely enough, is from the beginning of the book, just before Anna arrives, Dolly sits with her children,

"...and again took up the rug she was knitting, a piece of work begun long ago, to which she always returned in times of trouble, and which she was now knitting, nervously throwing the stitches over with her fingers and counting them." (Anna Karenina, pg. 65, Maude)

Looking at this passage now I realize the truth in the words more so than I did years ago. What pieces of "self" are in our fabric? What worry, what joy, what memories? I reached for my book today after that passage struck my mind, and could immediately locate its place after so many years away from the text. This seemed too coincidental to not share the book that brings the Spring.

I think the universe is telling me it's time to read Anna again. The scent of magnolia trees blooming, the memory of Iija's laughter and the warmth of sun is too much of a lure.

Eye Candy Friday

2011-03-18T11:42:00.000-07:00

Ballston Legwarmers, from Adriondack Accessories, available through Fairmount Fibers and your local Manos del Uruguay carrying LYS. Made with Manos del Uruguay Silk Blend in colors bing cherry, rust, topaz and natural.

My second Manos del Uruguay project, the Chiton Pullover by Melissa Wehrle, from Winter/Spring '11 Knitscene. Our Spring KAL made from luscious, drapey, soft Serena in Zinnia.

Can you believe there is no Madelinetosh in this post?!?! Fear not, my yarn cubby is still ever filling with my heart's content.

The Ides of Elijah

2011-03-15T14:54:00.000-07:00

My third time making Elijah, and he's still adorable and fun to make. I made the little heart pillow out of spare yarn lying around the shop. Over the years I have made Elijah for a baby, a friend who loves elephants, and now for anyone to fall in love with as they pass through the shop.

Pattern: Elijah by Ysolda Teague

Yarn: Plymouth Dreambaby DK

Needles: US 3

Thankful.

2011-03-07T17:05:00.000-08:00

From the mushy, winter-worn earth I saw small green sprouts and was thankful.

Snowdrops.

Even though the air was cold, I felt the sun on my skin.

Honey Cowl. tosh dk, crumble.

And was grateful for generous moments of grace.

Thankyou.

Today was better than yesterday.

2011-03-04T18:47:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I walked into the shop to meet Gail. The bales of yarn in her arms should have warned me, the distressed look on her face should have warned me, her saying, "we have an issue," should have warned me. I promptly threw down my coat and coffee mug and trotted out to the front room. There before me was a wall of collapsing shelves buckled under the weight of wool, alpaca, camel, and merino yarns; needless to say, this was not an auspicious beginning. We proceeded to empty all the shelves in front of us, resigning hope that the shelving could be saved otherwise. Bags and baskets full of yarn were strewn about the shop, people were told to fend for themselves whilst we banged, swore and hammered away at the offending structure. In the end many yarns made their way out to the porch sale baskets, new cottons, linens, and spring like yarn were put in place of the heavy wools from the past season. We stuck the bags of heavy wools and alpacas, which had collapsed our poor shelves to begin with, upstairs for the summer season.

In a delusional stupor later on, we had a sip of tea and decided that the yarn had spoken. The collapse was the shops way of screaming for spring. Even though it has caused us much turmoil and a few years off our lives we now have a beautiful wall full of spring yarns that ring off happiness and hope of warmer weather. I think it was revolting against the 29 degree (fahrenheit) weather outside, or the fact that it has snowed as much in southern New York this winter as much as Buffalo, NY. Regardless, we have decided that it happened for a reason, even though it has left us weathered and ragged.

So I went home with a box full of delicious veggie pizza from Prima's and prepared to have several glasses of wine and work on one of my finishfest projects. It sounded like a good plan right? I thought so too. Luckily, the pizza was par for the course: delicious, filling and perfect. For the wine, well, all I had was Corona Light so I happily replaced grapes for hops. Then I went to start my finishfest project, my Gaia mitts for Shavonne. I opened my computer to retrieve the pattern I had painstakingly created in Intertwined Pattern Studio; it was the works: charts and written instuctions, along with original cables created for the pattern.

It was gone.

Gone.

And not just that pattern, but every pattern I have created in Intertwined Pattern Studio. All that was left were a sad text edit files where richly created visuals and written instruction used to be. I wanted to cry, slay the creator of said program....but then I remembered that I would be thrown in jail for unintentional manslaughter caused by knitting related duress. A defense that would hold up in any court, but would surely get me some jail time. My rational mind led me away from thoughts of homicide and back to my kitchen where I opened my refrigerator and extracted several more bottles of beer, which I happily consumed and drifted away into a peaceful stupor while watching Craig Ferguson.

Today had to be better than yesterday.

I got up with a slight headache (from what I couldn't say), and had some coffee and oatmeal, knitted for awhile and looked over at my Blackberry Storm, which has been steadily making its decline into non-function for several weeks. I decided today was the day of vindication. I had to out-weight yesterdays mess with a better today. What better way to do that then with some retail therapy?

I set out on my quest, and went from store to store in search of the prodigal phone. Perhaps the most coveted phone in the world: the iPhone 4, Verizon edition. Yes, I had waited years for this day, looking at Apple Insider and Cnet, religiously waiting for the day that Verizon would obtain Apple's contract. Finally the day had arrived..... and Verizon told me my phone update wasn't until June :(

Not to be deterred, my mommzie was generous enough to give me her upgrade and I went from snake oil salesman to used mattress salesman in form of Verizon specialist before I found the right retailer. Three hours after my expedition began I came home with my prize in hand, and I truly feel better. I hope to blow Gail's mind when I walk in the door tomorrow with my new Apple-y goodness. So no matter what tomorrow brings I know today will at least be as good if not better than tomorrow.

Although I have fallen short of my goal I still have something to show you, even if taken in low-light after a glass of wine:

Clockwork (blocked and beautiful):

In the center you will notice a small swatchish shape of fabric. Last night, in between beer two and three I decided to do a little swatching for my next big project to take my mind off the misery of the day. Made of of Quince and co Chickadee in Carrie's Yellow, that bird will be in flight sooner that to be expected.

February Finishfest (Belated)

2011-03-02T21:28:00.000-08:00

I am holding myself accountable....but since I don't trust myself to do this alone I am announcing that I am holding myself accountable. Over the last month I have cast-on so many new projects, designs and shop samples that my head is starting to spin. So here it is, I am going to finish ALL my current WIPs before I allow myself to start fresh in March.

"But wait!" I hear you exclaim, "Isn't it March already?" Why yes, but since February is only 28 days long this year, and by most standard months I usually get 30 to 31 days for a end-of-month finishfest, so I am extending my "knitting February" a few days. A delusional act that will surely yield results, either that or rip a blackhole in the fabric of space/time sucking into it a few unfinished projects never to be heard from again. But I feel that ripping an unintentional hole in the fabric of time for my own selfish knitting needs is a little extravagant, so again, I am holding myself accountable. I will finish my WIPs, and I have you as a witness.

So here's what's on the ol' needles lately:

Clockwork (shop/secretly, to be worn for my own indulgent purposes)

Gaia #2 (a design AND birthday present for Shavonne: this alone should give me incentive to finish before Saturday, right?)

Mercy Falls Cowl (a shop sample/design/and a double knit class tool)

I am going to say look forward to Friday when I show off what I managed to accomplish, but don't hold your breath.

Button thanks.

2011-02-27T14:08:00.000-08:00

I have been very fortunate to be given or have had the opportunity to obtain many gorgeous buttons lately. People say I have an unhealthy obsession with buttons; in fact, when I was at Rhinebeck this year most of what I bought were those little, handmade pieces of art.

The beginning of my button obsession began innocently enough. I was wandering around the floor of TNNA last June when I was destined to stumble upon Moving Mud. Instantly my heart was a flutter: hand-forged glass button, closures, pins, rings and many other adornments danced around me in swirls of psychedelic wonder.

(The elemental building block of my obsession shown above.)

Lovely and laid back Sarina gently rocked on her exercise ball while I absorbed the beauty all around me.

It was a rare ecstatic moment: every piece of work clearly had a little bit of soul in it which is what makes Moving Mud so special.

Since then I have slowly been buying up their buttons when ever I am lucky enough to stumble upon them.

But I have to say my most favorite buttons and adornments that I own are the ones that have been made by the people I live with every day. Working at a yarn shop has given me more blessing than I could ever imagine, that being the amazing people I have met and gotten the chance to befriend. I could write pages on each person and how wonderful each and every person is, but for the sake of brevity and sticking to button talk I need to show a few exceptional gifts I have been given recently.

Joanie and I have been getting through the saga of the Peaks Island Hood together. I knit it previously, so every Saturday during riff-raff time her and I had stolen moments of working through her own PIH. After much hair pulling and beers shared at Woody's afterwards, all managed to end well and she loves her new scarf. A few weeks later she gave me a present which I couldn't have anticipated and am so grateful to accept: handmade stitch markers! Cleverly named Wool Stones, I hope Joan of Art starts selling them because they are gorgeous and I am sure will be well received by all us knitters out there.

And finally, but certainly not last are handmade ceramic buttons made by the talented hands of Peggy. After helping her with a sweater over the course of a year, Peggy gave me some of her buttons which I had fawned over before.

Every time I see them I imagine her and her daughter wearing there beautiful sweaters on their journey to India. I am looking forward to the picture of them at the base of the Himalayas in their handmade knitwear.

A bird in hand. A woman in heaven.

2011-02-13T18:02:00.000-08:00

I have been buying yarn at a staggering rate lately with no end in sight. A very large portion of that has been two separate orders placed with Quince & co.

Lark and Chickadee have come home to roost in my yarn cubby along with Tern. I am saving my skeins of Tern until a special project comes to mind, but Lark and Chickadee are going to production immediately.

I have 10 skeins of Lark, Quince's worsted weight made from unbelievably soft 100% American wool. Pam Allen has been one of my favorite designers since I first picked up a knit magazine so it's no surprise that I choose to make her Danforth Pullover in the beautiful color Clay. It was very hard to chose a color out of the gorgeous range they have created so far, but I figured an "in between" winter/spring color would be lovely.

Chickadee is getting ready for lift off for another little Chickadee. In colors twig, petal, gingerbread and Carrie's yellow I will be using Quince's uber-soft dk weight yarn for a long anticipated project.

Ysolda Teague is launching her new collection Little Red in the City next month, but was kind enough to give all her waiting fans an information sheet so we could pre-order yarns for our projects and swatch.

I plan on teaching a sweater workshop using the wealth of information about sizing, fitting and creating the perfect sweater for any body. Using Chickadee as my sample (for once my pudginess pays off!), I will show how to shape a sweater so those of us with a little extra T & A can look just as fabulous as our more slender sisters. Keep and eye on the shop calender for updates because there's gonna be a lot of action in the upcoming weeks.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

2010-12-25T14:30:00.000-08:00

A little crumble treat for me under the tree. Happy Christmas everyone!

T-7 Days: NCCC

2010-12-17T17:51:00.000-08:00

No, that is not a rare photo of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, but instead a seemingly infinite stack of yarn ends.

I spent most of my day weaving in the ends of my Na Craga. Note to self: When making a traditional aran you will have a billionty ends to weave in at the end.

I know I haven't been overly active here over the past few weeks, but the elves here have been hard at work making sure that all my hand knits will be finished in time for Christmas. I still have some work to do that I haven't spoken of yet, like finishing up the small but cozy collection of accessories I have for my sister. This collection includes and adorable and super squishy double knit cabled scarf. Hopefully I will be able to show that finished piece of here soon along with a completely finished Na Craga. Right now it is teetering on greatness.

With only 7 days left until Christmas things are looking pretty damn good.

Stuff it!

2010-12-03T16:20:00.001-08:00

This is the time of year when we consume the most delicious and mysterious of foods: stuffing. It's the best part of my Thanksgiving every year, and if I am very lucky, Christmas as well. The reason I say mysterious is that it is always questionable what consists of stuffing from table to table. We are basically consuming a bready, perhaps sausagy substance that has been stuffed up a bird's ass and baked, then only to be removed from said bird's ass to be drenched in gravy and stuffed into our more than willing mouths. I never question the mystery food and take a break from my overly logical and skeptical life to indulge in my favorite holiday food.

My love for stuffing is what gave me my most recent knitting related idea. I am sure this has been done before, but I have never seen anyone suggest it. I've recently been knitting many hats and, as a result, also had to block many hats. Usually after I finish a hat, especially a slouchy hat, I have always blocked them over a plate. First I would soak them for 15 to 30 minutes, gently squeeze them out in a towel, all done as not to harm the fabric; then I would shove a plate inside, stretching out the fabric of the hat as I wanted, but practically destroying the brims elasticity. It always came out perfect at the top and a uselessly stretch out mess at the brim. This is were my eureka idea came in at the Thanksgiving table: Stuff It!

Luckily, I have an unhealthy obsession with knitted toys and therefore have a baleful of polyfill stuffing lying around in my stash. After I finished my routine washing I delicately pushed handfuls of toy stuffing into my hats until I had reached my desired shape, then I propped it on top of my swift to dry for a day or so.

Although it looks like a little bit of a mess, this process yields great results, thankfully, leaving the brims unharmed.

I now have two versions of my red hat, and a lovely Christmas present for my sister made out of the blue, all to be revealed in good time. They all have a perfectly elastic brim, all thanks to the worlds most devily delicious food every to be created.

An Exercise in Restraint

2010-11-23T18:30:00.000-08:00

Today was a big day at the shop; my order of Madelinetosh arrived this morning while I was in the midst of reorganizing the epic shop mess from the previous weekend. I was a good girl and cleaned up the shop and then proceeded to unpack all 50 colors of tosh merino light that were inside that glorious box. It was like Christmas morning, not only because my Christmas present from Gail was inside that box, but the joy of digging though every new color brought me a new unexpected joy.

At the end of the day I shoved all my new acquisitions inside my bag and brought them home to roost. Clockwise from the top they include: calligraphy, ink, olivia and venetian. They joined an already extensive pile of Madelinetosh that I have squirreled away for my "after Christmas" knitting, otherwise know as selfish knitting. One of the reason I have been so antsy to finish the Na Craga challenge is this pile of beautiful yarn I have waiting for me.

To make my knitter's ADD even worse than it already is, I just ordered a few skeins of Tern from Quince & co. A new yarn company from Pam Allen and Carrie Bostick Hoge; the yarn is made from 100% American Wool with a beautiful palette desirable by any knitter. Tern is actually the only yarn from Quince that is an anomaly, with 75% wool/25% silk to make a silky soft fingering weight wool.

For now Quince it is a direct-to-knitter company, still small enough for personal touches to be added to each order. (Bottom: Barnacle, Top: Kelp)

After tearing open the color card I ordered along with Tern I basked in the colorful array that waits for me in the future. I am already designing sweaters and accessories in my head with this rich palette, which I know will only expand 10-fold.

Every snip is taken with Chickadee, their sport/dk weight wool, which is perfect because I already have big plans for these little birds. Let's just say I am waiting for another birdie launch to best demonstrate the qualities of this lovely yarn.

Glimpses of Saturday

2010-11-19T12:34:00.000-08:00

What makes me most happy on Saturday afternoons is my little group of riff-raff that settle in the shop every weekend and make my day worth the craziness. I owe them a great deal of gratitude since they help put back together what's left of me after a rough day and listen when I have to vent about one thing or another. I've gone to Rhinebeck with them, slept over in Claire's dreamhouse with them and share countless sweet potato fries at Woody's. They even indulge and participate with me when I oogle the crazy hot cook over the counter.

Carol is a little reluctant when it comes to personal photos, but we got the drop on her and caught a rare moment of reflective knitting.

But honestly this is a more accurate photo when she realized what was happening.

Then we have everyones favorite ladies man, Mark. Who I can't say enough wonderful things about- he's knitting his first sweater, Cobblestone, by our favorite Brooklynite, Jared Flood, with delicious Madelinetosh tosh dk in Crumble. I told him I was going to "borrow" it from him when he finished.

He knows I have a serious addiction to the stuff. If it went missing he would immediately know who the culprit was.

Then we have Queen Jean on the left and Nancy of the Spinning Fancy's on the right.

Jean deserves a place among the saints and a spot in the knitter's hall of fame. We have all said that Jean has forgotten more about knitting than we will ever learn. I swear it is true. I have seen remarkable things from this woman, and not just knitting wise. Patience, kindness and a bit of cheekiness: all good things.

Nancy's in a league all her own-a spinner, weaver, dyer, felter, knitter, mad-scientist and she knows the ingredient in contact solution that makes explosives. Not only can you escape into a world of colorful roving when you enter her shop, you can exclaim your excitement with any expletive you prefer upon the rush of joy experienced.

I can't say I have mentioned everyone in this post who deserves it. I simply thought to recognize some of my favorite people after taking a bunch of nice photos today. This last one is my favorite yet though.

That's the back of Na Craga, almost complete. How sweet.

Tea Leaves Books Dreams

2010-11-17T16:05:00.000-08:00

Yesterday is rained all day, which led to a day of mushy earth and sticky leaves.

Being mid-November I saw my window for final yard work rapidly closing. It actually snowed a little bit just last week. So I went outside and saw some pretty leaves floating in my wheel-barrel. Then I grabbed the mower and proceeded to mulch all the rest blowing around my yard.

I came in 2 hours later cold and exhausted, took a hot shower, made some chicken soup for dinner, and then sat down with a cup of tea. As I settled in for a long night of knitting I glanced over at my little table next to me and admired the view.

A little stack of my favorite new books- New England Knits, Brave New Knits and Aran Knitting, which Na Craga hails from. When I feel my stamina dulling I reach for these books to dream about things to come.

TWIST and Shout, Hurray!

2010-11-15T11:53:00.000-08:00

The Winter 2010 issue of Twist Collective is up today! I have blogged before about how much I love Twist Collective-they never fail to deliver beautiful designs and this issue was no different. And if you are wondering, Twist doesn't pay me to advertise for them, I just love them so much that I can't help but push every knitter I know to their publications-so go there NOW!

I had quite a rambunctious and fun-filled weekend, so by Monday 12:00 a.m. I was shaking myself awake for the Winter debut of Twist. I looked through the entire issue, articles and all, and promptly fell into a deep, peaceful slumber dreaming about all the gorgeous things I would make.

Before I continue with my gushfest over Twist, I will say that I know I have to work on my own designs, but who says I can't have a little something extra for myself on the side? Now for the gushing...

I will be downloading Leaving immediately-I have always loved Anne's lace designs, I made her Wing o' the Moth shawl for my Mommie a few years ago. So I especially love that she has applied her crazy lace skills to a very wearable garment that can be either a cardigan or pullover. Personally, I think I will be making the cardigan, but I have this feeling that I will be getting a few family and friend requests for the pullover.

I am, of course, thinking about using Madelinetosh tosh merino light for Leaving. We got a call at the shop from Texas this week- madelinetosh HQ informed us that our large shipment is going into production and will be arriving THIS WEEK! YAY! My heart is skipping beats every time I remember this (or maybe it's the carafe of coffee I drank? or both?) I get first dibs on color choices, so I will be putting some skeins aside for this one.

There are several more designs that I want to queue up as well. I had a gasp! moment when I saw Chambord-I don't know what yarn I will be using for it yet but since I had such a reaction to it I know that I will have to make it a.s.a.p.

Freija-my Mom literally squealed in my ear when she saw it. Not really a big surprise because 1. it has lots of cables, 2. it's slightly unusual construction and placement makes it all the more striking and unique.

Let It Snow-just shouts my sister's name, this is in the running for a potential Christmas present.

Skalva-it's the perfect, easy wear garment that could have been designed for me personally. The length of it is perfect to wear with boots and and leggings. I already have a pattern by Gudrun from Twist on the needles, so I think it's time to double up.

Roheline- a circular yoke, dropped stitches, cardigan in the round and seamless. Could anything be more perfectly me? Was this issue made for me personally?!

Wingspan- OMG, cables from cuff to cuff! Not only gorgeous to look at, it's an interesting design for a knitter, since it isn't the typical bottom up or top down sweater. Plus, doesn't it look so soft and squishy? I am hesitant to sub a yarn because I want that squishiness for myself.

Okay, now I have to go back to work-put my dreams aside for another day. I have some serious Na Craga work to do before I can even think about casting on for my dream knits above. But I can download them right? Read over the patterns, drool, dream of yarns to use....it's not really cheating on my Na Craga until I cast on....speaking of which, I am working on the ribbing to the back now....downloading Twist patterns too ;)

Feelin' like a Champ: Day 8 NCCC, 42 left

2010-11-13T11:13:00.000-08:00

Finished the front of the Na Craga and I'll go into the City this weekend feelin' like a champ. I can't promise the same results for next week since I'll be away from my knitting for a few days of fun times but I'll sure try. See you Monday...

Woodsmoke in Winter

2010-11-12T11:55:00.000-08:00

So not to bore you all to tears with my Na Craga posts I have some beautiful finished objects to show off. I have recently been ripping though Brave New Knits, making one accessory after another. I already showed you my Orchid Thief Shawlette by Ysolda Teague, and like my shawlette I have made another project with madelinetosh tosh merino light.

I am a huge knit blog junkie and one of the people that got me hooked is the famous Jared Flood of BrooklynTweed. He actually took all the spectacular pictures in Brave New Knits, which is one of the main features of his blog that rocketed him to super stardom in the knitting world. He can take a photograph of the most simple scarf and unlock the hidden beauty under the ribbing. I hope to meet him one day to tell him how much his art has inspired me.

Pattern: Woodsmoke Scarf by Jared Flood
Needles: Addi Turbo US 6 40", Hiya Hiya US 6 DPN
Notions: A buttload of waste yarn, Boye Crochet G Hook

The Woodsmoke Scarf isn't the most simple scarf to knit, but it maintains the aesthetic ease and rustic charm that trademarks all of Jared's patterns. It's deliciously wearable made with one skein of tosh merino light in amber trinket and one skein of Kid Merino by Crystal Palace in Sand. I used up both skeins of yarn almost entirely-about a yard left on the kid merino and 10 left on the tosh merino light. I decided that the madelinetosh was too pretty not to use for the whole scarf, but something extra was needed for the lace edging. I picked up the kid merino on a whim and used it as a carry along, by the end I had something we all were enchanted with. The light haziness that the kid merino brought to the scarf seemed to enhance the rustic charm and make it more romantic. It's being held hostage at the shop right now, but it will be coming home with me soon enough.

Cragaus Interruptus

2010-11-11T11:33:00.001-08:00

I will temporary interrupt the Na Craga Challenge posts to bring you a long finished object. I finished this easy dress at the end of winter last year. In fact, it is so easy that the pattern is called the Moorland Easy Dress. I got to wear it a total of two times before it went into hibernation for the summer. The wearable season went by so fast that I didn't even have a chance to get a picture of me in the thing before I had to put her away.

Pattern: Moorland Easy Dress by Joëlle Meier Rioux
Needles: Addi Turbo US 6 & 7
Yarn: Vintage by Berroco (8),shade 5182

The Goddess of Foresight was with me when I picked out my Pebble Wine Dress project because sweater dresses seem to be all that this season. Lucky me, but I would have worn it regardless. I used Jean's favorite yarn in the shop, Vintage by Berroco in a lovely heather merlot shade 5182. I used about 8 skeins to knit the endless amount of moss stitch that makes the texture of the dress. It's knit bottom up in the round up to the armholes and then divided for the back and front. The sleeves were knit separately and sew in later. Although this looks like a huge project, it was actually very simple and timely. Endurance was the biggest obstacle of knitting this because there was so much fabric to create, but any beginner knitter could tackle this project and come out with a perfect finished garment.

And if you all are wondering-I am almost done with the front of Na Craga. I have about 22" of knitting out of 25" total. I hope I am not jinxing myself, but I think I will finish it tonight. I am going out in the City for my besties birthday this weekend so my mind will be settled knowing I have one large piece completed. Maybe I'll even have a preemptive margarita ;)

Day 5, 45 left: NCCC

2010-11-09T10:35:00.000-08:00

Plugging along here with the Na Craga challenge. I think I have made considerable headway in the short time I have had with it so far. So much that I feel confidant that I could finish this before Christmas, as long as I don't insert too much extra into my knitting schedule.

I have gotten about 16" into the front side of my sweater out of 23" and I haven't had any problems. The design is intuitive and symmetrical. In fact, my favorite thing about this design is that I haven't had to refer to the charts since the first repeat. One of the keys to success in any pattern is making it intuitive enough to repeat without constant reminders. The cables appear at least every other row and the waffle stitch on either side of the cable pattern changes every two rows. The brain is very good at recognizing patterns, even if you don't have a "mathematical mind", as I don't, your brain is given a little reminder, ex. on the third round of the braided cable the honeycomb or the horseshoe cable needs to repeat as well. It's a subtle and under-rated aspect of pattern design. When a knitter has to juggle several variables that aren't cohesive the more likely we are to eff-up and give up on a project.

I have to give this design an A+ so far. I can see why it has been so popular for beginning cablers and advanced knitters alike. Very smart Alice. At this rate I should beat the White Rabbit.

Day Two: NCCC

2010-11-06T16:58:00.001-07:00

Day Two, 48 left.

I'll try and update with a picture of my progress as much as I am able. I want to say every day, but I think that is a little ambitious and silly for me to promise.

So far I have only made one careless mistake, which happened when I was blabbing and not paying attention to my cable directions. I dropped my offending stitches to the row below and reoriented the little sob's to their correct place in the world. I am humming along as fast as I can go, hopefully tomorrow will yield a bounty of rows.

The Na Craga Christmas Challenge: Day One

2010-11-05T09:44:00.000-07:00

They all say it can't be done. That I am crazy to even attempt it. Claire shook her head and said she was getting the sweats just thinking about it. Gail just smiled and nodded while making yarn recommendations, she knew resistance was futile. I had my mind set and that was that. The challenge is to complete Alice Starmore's Na Craga by December 25th. I have the yarn, the pattern and apparently a startling warped sense of knitting realities. I dare say even the Yarn Harlot herself would call me insane if she got wind of what I am trying to attempt here.

So today is Day One of the Challenge out of 50 with 49 left to go. I have already swatched and chosen my yarn-Plymouth Select Worsted Superwash Merino in 29, a lovely heather shade of brown with red undertones. I have my needles at attention and I have cast-on for the ribbing. And I have, if nothing else, my determination to complete this project by my set date.

Now other than feeling a rush of joy when my Mom opens the box on Christmas morning, I have also been promised a celebration if I can achieve my goal. A fiesta at Avacado's for a New Year's"ish" bash-a place that makes guacamole seem like a wonder of the world, where margaritas and tequila runs free, where you can stuff your face and drink until you explode, a place where I will rub in the face of all my doubters my VICTORY! Claire, I will be dreaming about margaritas for the next month and a half ;) Get ready.

I'll be updating frequently on my progess with photos or it didn't happen! (LSG nod) I'll be talking about the pitfalls, the whoas and the joys of knitting one of Alice Starmore's epic sweaters. Hopefully, my journey through this process can answer some questions about the complex and beautiful design of aran knitting and be a great tool for designing in the future. This also could be a diary of a young woman driven to the edge of sanity and reason. I know I'll be walking a fine line between the two, so stay tuned to see which way it swings.

Oh, and I have to figure out something to make for my sister too...any suggestions?

Yule Tidey Cheer Pattern

2010-11-02T10:03:00.000-07:00

Now that there is a nice nip in the air and the leaves have fully changed and mostly fallen I am really getting into the holiday vibe. I love the holiday season, although I know that it is an overwhelming time for many people, I find that it is centering and peaceful. It is one of the rare times in the year that I get to be with my whole family and we really spend time together. Christmas is the somewhat of a yearly miracle in my household. Usually I get woken up by my sister jumping on me and yelling IT'S CHRISTMAS! and then ripping the blankets off me. This is the one day of the year that I wouldn't punch her for doing so. Then we all get up, put on some Christmas tunes, usually by way of James Taylor or Charlie Brown, have coffee and open presents. Then we make an EPIC Christmas brunch together--even my Dad participates (the Baconmaker). Scrambled eggs, french toast made with Challah bread, sausage, bacon via baconmaker, yogurt and fruit, coffee, tea, eggnog and orange juice for good health. Afterwards, usually we are so stuffed we only eat dessert later in the day via the Italian deli in town.

We never turn on the TV, we just play games and slowly people starting trickling in, like friends who don't mind seeing all of us in our jammies, which we never change out of all day. All in all it is a spectacular tradition that came from us living so far away from our extended family. Honestly, I look more forward to this day that any day of the year, perhaps because we simply are allowed to enjoy one another without the outside world pulling on our minds. I wish there were more days during the year where we are allowed to be so detached from the world and so together with our loved ones.

So, as you can imagine, in mid-October I was already starting to anticipate holiday knitting. Some BIG needles came into the shop, I saw a bunch of red yarn that looked nice together, and I saw all the gargantuan cowls in the new magazines for fall/winter. My Yule Log Cowl emerges just a few hours after conception. It took me about an hour or so to knit up and another half and hour to jot down the pattern.

Pattern: Yule Log Cowl by Me!
Needles: US 35
Yarn: Trabajos del Peru (007) 2 skeins; La Gran (6555) 1 or 2 skeins
And: 1 BIG log button

I made it available for free through my Ravelry pattern shop and also here at the shop for some simple, fast holiday knitting.

I usually spend the weeks before Christmas knitting my fingers off making beautiful sweaters or accessories for my Mom and sister. They are knit worthy so I don't mind spending the hours of late night knitting on them. This year I want to make my Mom Na Craga by Alice Starmore.

It's a gorgeous traditional aran sweater, of which she has been asking for for years. So I will grant her a Christmas wish and make it for her. Perhaps in a size that allows me to steal it from the sweater chest every once in awhile;)

Isn't She Lovely?

2010-10-28T18:12:00.000-07:00

Twist Collective is my of my favorite sources for absolutely gorgeous patterns, well-written and interesting articles and helpful technical information. I am consistently impressed by every release and I am bitting my nails in anticipation for the winter edition. Fall and Winter releases of magazines are usually the power issues for every knitting or crochet magazine, but lately I have felt a lackluster effect from most others...and then there is Twist. It seems that all interesting, new and brilliant designers are migrating the way of this amazing webzine. I encourage all to check it out and immediately download your favorite design (which will be many). I love it so much I usually tell every customer that comes through the shop about it and then write the site down on the back of our business card. Hey, they deserve their props when their due.
Now this intro has been written for my most recent Twist knit that I completed just in time for Fall. It's for my biggest fan and the cutest person I know, my Momma!

I choose Pas de Valse by Marnie MacLean. It's light, feminine and drapey--all the elements required for a perfect Fall sweater. Of course, I used madelinetosh tosh merino light in Calligraphy for a beautiful complementary color for Annie's complexion.

Isn't she lovely and so adorable?!?! MWAH!

Waiting for Little Red....

2010-10-22T15:27:00.001-07:00

...will be more successful than Godot. I have been anxiously awaiting the release of Little Red in the City for some time now. I got a sneek peak at TNNA of all Ysolda's new beautiful sweaters, and apparently since then the collection has expanded! The book was supposed to be release in September, but word is, due to the expansion that the release date has been pushed back. Although I would love to have the collection in my hands right now I can appreciate the time that Ysolda and Sarah are putting into making sure the new collection is error-free and ready for the masses.

That being said I can't wait to making this coat, which I tried on at TNNA and haven't been able to stop thinking about the lovely thing since:

To avoid wringing my hands raw in anticipation I have been knitting some Ysolda patterns that I have been wanting to make for awhile.

Meet Emily:

It turned out pretty awesome-it's victorian gothic, steampunk looking. I LOVE it. I used madelinetosh sock in tarte. Words cannot express how much I love this yarn. Every weight, every color, it's divine.

We recently got in a shipment of madelinetosh at the shop in tosh merino light, a single-ply, superwash, fingering weight merino that knits up like a dream. I have already made three project out of it, which I can't wait to show off here. The first of which is The Orchid Thief Shawlette from Brave New Knits:

Made in colorway mare--it's a beautiful black with brown, grey and blue undertones. Yum. I have a small, hoarded pile of madelinetosh right now that I am dreaming up beautiful things for.

Many more FO are waiting in the wings to pop up here, including a new freebie design that I just finished writing in time for holiday cheer. It is a stupidly simple cowl that I made with GIANT needles and three strands of yarn. I will be posting it within the week to my Ravelry store and will have in available at the shop. I also have been working on new designs that I might not be able to show off right away-it all depends on how they progress. So far I have been surprising myself so I am excited to see if what I am envisioning and beginning will come out well. Stay tuned....

A Peak

2010-07-14T17:18:00.000-07:00

A little taste of what I have been working on for the last week.

I ordered a few skeins of Madelinetosh DK from a Ravelry Swap or Sell and what a great deal I got. Two beautiful, buttery soft skeins arrived in my mail box a few days later. I opened the envelop and I had a moment of shining awe similar to the Pulp Fiction briefcase. Needless to say, this yarn was soul satisfying. I whipped out my favorite new book, Whimsical Little Knits 2, by my favorite designer, Ysolda Teague. I chose the Peaks Island Hood, a hooded scarf that buttons to keep it snugly in place. I couldn't help wrapping it around my head as I was making it just to see how the yarn felt in the pebbly seed stitch, yum.

My little sister is moving out to Minneapolis later this summer, which is a good thing for her but I will miss her terribly. It's a good thing she found a nice big apartment because I am going to be visiting her all the time. I have to figure out where the good second hand book stores and yarn shops are before I venture out there.

I wanted to wrap her up in my hand knits to keep her warm in the cold winter climate she is moving to. This toasted yellow wrap isn't the first but won't be the last thing I make to keep her close to me in my own way and warm. Modeled pictures to follow by a little sister begrudgingly photographed.

I Made A Hat!

2010-07-04T19:40:00.000-07:00

Don't laugh. It's another Twilight inspired pattern. I know you're laughing, but I don't care. I just can't help myself.

So here's the story. I went to see the midnight showing of Eclipse with my sister, and even though there were screaming adolescence all over the place I STILL enjoyed the movie. I enjoyed the movie so much I was inspired to recreate the hat I saw Kristen Stewart wearing.

It was oversized, tweedy, with a thick band of ribbing to pull over the ears, in my book a perfect hat. It's so perfect that it is actually unisex. I think anyone could get this hat onto a man without him guessing the source material. If you have seen or read anything Twilight related, Bella is a little bit of a wallflower when it comes to wardrobe, which is one thing I can relate to, so it's no surprise to see her wearing a hat that she could have taken from the guy's side of the GAP (I was going to say Edward's closet, but I felt myself going too far over the edge).

I took a quick screen capture of my inspiration just to have something to refer to and set out to work the next day. I wanted to make this hat as close to original as possible, so I spent most of the night straining my eyes against the computer screen to see exactly how many rows were knit in which color. I am very pleased with my finished product--I think it's as close to the original as anyone is going to get.

I finished knitting and writing up this hat in record time so it's up in my pattern shop via Ravelry now. There is also a link in my sidebar. Enjoy my peeps.

Tinkering Away...

2010-07-03T20:49:00.000-07:00

For any of you that still read this little blog, you can see I have been tinkering away behind the scenes. I went out to TNNA in Ohio just a few weeks ago and came back charged up with creative energy. It was the kick in the ass I needed to put my patterns up on Ravelry and share them with the rest of the knitting world.

The wonderful people I met at the convention were encouraging, compassionate and chuck full of knowledge willing to be shared (along with Jeni's Ice Cream :::droolz:::) I can say I am ready to take the leap into the industry in whatever form it will have me. I absolutely loved getting to share in the biggest convention of the year and getting to experience this world in a way I didn't know was possible. So here's to possibilities!

Take a look at my side bar for pattern links to my Ravelry Pattern Shop.

Leaves in Spring

2010-04-06T20:21:00.000-07:00

"Give me the splendid silent sun, with all his beams full-dazzling;
Give me juicy autumnal fruit, ripe and red from the orchard;
Give me a field where the unmow’d grass grows;
Give me an arbor, give me the trellis’d grape;
Give me fresh corn and wheat—give me serene-moving animals, teaching content;
Give me nights perfectly quiet, as on high plateaus west of the Mississippi, and I looking up at the stars;
Give me odorous at sunrise a garden of beautiful flowers, where I can walk undisturb’d..."

~ "Give Me the Splendid, Silent Sun," Leave of Grass, Walt Whitman

Today I sat out on the porch of our shop in the unusually warm weather, ate a summer salad for lunch and toyed with my newly finished, silky beret.

I was a little intimidated at first, making a lace beret with no bearing but my own desire to have the hat that was in my imagination. I have never made a lace pattern before this one, but I quickly learned that it was quite easy, possibly even more so than making a normal cap.

I think it was meant to be because all the stitches seemed to flow together without much thinking on my part, just the way I like it!

This pattern is now available for download through my Ravelry pattern shop! buy now

Rhymes with Eek!

2010-02-23T10:40:00.000-08:00

Has she lost her mind?! She can't CUT her knitting!

Oh, but you can....

I finally finish my first fair-isle sweater and I am quite proud of myself. Although the hardest part of making this sweater was restraining myself from cutting the neckline immediately so I could wear the damn thing. But I did, and now I have witnesses and video (as crappy as it maybe) of me steeking the neckline open.

There you have it. Easy as can be and nothing to loose your lunch over.

I also have some other fiddily fair-isle projects going on. An oldie, but a goldie from the past:

I am taking the lovely Wintergreen pattern that was used to make lovely birthday mittens a few years ago...

and extending the cuff to make extra long, lovely greenery to go up my arm. I am definitely going to teach a class for these guys. I just love them too much not to share them with as many peoples as possible.

CLASS AT THE CORNWALL YARN SHOP: THE FAIR-ISLE SERIES: WINTERGREEN MITTENS!:
March 13, 2010 @ 1:00 at the Cornwall Yarn Shop
We will be learning twisted stitches in fair-isle (color work) and afterthought thumbs.
Call 534-0383 or email cornwallyarnshop@aol.com for a spot!

A Breath of Fresh Lunacy

2010-02-04T22:07:00.000-08:00

I finally succumbed to the Twilight saga. After years of resistance, my curiosity finally got the best of me. I settled on reading the first 100 pages of the book to see if I liked it and I didn’t stop reading for 4 days straight. Needless to say, I have joined the masses of Twilight fans. The mass keeps growing and I am sure it indicates the apocalypse is coming soon.

Since this craziness has taken over my consciousness for the time being I am putting it to good use and working on a design for Bella’s mittens, among others, from the Twilight movies. I tried to get them as close to the originals as possible. The palm took me a little while to figure out, but I am quite happy with the results.

To use Stephanie Meyer's favorite piece of vocabulary: with chagrin, I admit to loving the series. I was completely wrong in all my previous high-minded assumptions about it. However, there were parts of the books that made me want to chuck them across the room as a little too much archaic, patriarchal Christian virtue crept into the undercurrent of the story for my liking. But I was already so invested in the story line that I let it go to continue into my delirium. If anyone out there decides to venture into Twilight I recommend have a large chunk of time carved out of your life: once you start there will be no stopping.

ETA: As of July 2nd, 2010 This pattern is available for download through Ravelry's pattern store for $4.00. buy now

End of Summer

2009-09-08T18:28:00.000-07:00

I am a woman obsessed. Obsessed with what, you say? ETSY.com! I spend possibly 99% of my online time on Etsy looking at beautiful handmade things. I first got a taste for my addiction when I started ordering vintage buttons for my hand-knit sweaters, then it graduated to hand-dyed yarn for my Mom's birthday shawl. Now, I find myself completely absorbed in searching for hand-spun yarns to create something small and beautiful for myself. Which brings me to this gem, End of Summer:

The colors are soft and gentle like the "in-between" season we are in, and seem to be calling my name. I must have this little skein so I can wear my favorite time of year around my neck all winter long.

The last few weeks has been a whirlwind, but I am thankful for a few wonderful things that have happened to make it all worth it. FIrst, my besties coming to see me for one last weekend of Fun Times before school, work and life divides us for awhile. Second, Charlotte's quickly becoming such a large part of my life, and being adopted by a wonderful little family that makes it all happen. I was so tickled the first day that I poured over myaddiction.com (etsy) to find the perfect apron to wear there:

And a close up for good measure:

This is one of my favorite new boutique's on Etsy, Sassy Apron. I have to buy the little Owls apron on my next purchase. Oh, Etsy, you will bankrupt me slowly. Then I will live in a box with all my beautiful handmade things.

Speaking of handmade things, here's a sneak peek of my soon-to-be sweater:

;) Meggo

So Many Little Things....

2009-08-19T18:38:00.000-07:00

Hello my Lovelies.

I know it has been a long time since I updated this little blog that I do, but I haven't had much that I wanted to talk about until now. I guess I have racked up enough "interesting" points to qualify for a post.

First of all, my birthday was last month and I turned 25. I can barely believe it. I am not afraid of getting older. In fact, I look forward to it, but I am amazed how fast time is going by. When I was in school the months crept by so slowly I could practically hear the creak of gears as the earth rotated. I can't say the same now. Maybe it's one of the benefits of childhood, to be able to see and hear things inside of each moment, instead of looking anxiously into the future all the time. I rarely get to recapture those moments and it's a small gift every time I am able to do it, which is why my birthday was a special day. My Mom and I went to Charlotte's Tea Room in the morning. It's a whimsical tea room, that serves tea British style with a dash of Mad Hatter and March Hare for character. It is simply magical, and for a few moments of my adult life I was able to see the beauty inside of that moment. That lovely feeling continued when my PLP gave me the the most amazing gift that I get to hang on my wall and look at every day. Where is the graphic novel, hmm? I think you have a whole one if you put together all your moleskins!

Anyways, I recently started working again. Nothing big, just a little job that brings me in some cash while I work on my resume and interviews. Hopefully, I can keep working there in the future as I like it, the people are quite nice, and the things that are sold by the company are lovely. Personally, I will be dipping into the skincare lines first, because I like to maintain my face well since it is currently the only physical thing about me I am not disliking and trying to change. I am not saying I don't like myself....just everything below my neck. Well, my neck needs some flabbage removed too ;)

Speaking of chunkiness, and my attempts to loose it, I have lost near 40 pounds since April! I am fitting into clothes I haven't been able to wear in a long time. I walked into J.Crew yesterday and started drooling. I held up one of the sweaters to myself in front of a mirror and thought, "OMG, this might actually fit me!" I think I still have a few more pounds to loose before that becomes true, but I am getting closer to a goal. Working everyday on my feet for 8 1/2 hours has really cut out all my ambition for exercise, but being on my feet that long has helped me loose more weight even thought I haven't been running. Nor have I had much time to eat or rest during the day...pounds melting off.

The best part of working again is "disposable income," even if that is only $20 it's something, right? My imagination has been firing up at all the things I want to be able to do. Some things more superficial, and somethings that would fulfill life long dreams, and something things in between.

Superficial Things First:

Dior Jazz Club Eye Clutch: I love the colors, they make me droolz.

Musics to my Ears: The New Iron & Wine

Middle Things Second:

A Necklace that lets me keep childhood close to my heart: Check out the Etsy shop, I can't recommend it highly enough.

A Sweater that I want to make that will inspire my fingers to art, and keep me warm during the colder months: I think tweed is in order for this sweater. It looks a tad colligate and studious, which means tweed, leather buttons (elbow patches?)

So I can make some Ideas come to life: It's a little program that helps me me with all the fussy bit of math that go along with creating a knitting pattern ;)

Things that Echo:

Flying across the world to see an old friend in a New Place:

A book to remind me of who I am: Maybe I can Evolve too?

I am having ideas of opening an Etsy of my own. What do you think? I have some things am dreaming, knitting and stitching up that could possibly be my first pieces?

Till next time.
Meggo

On St. Patrick's Day

2009-03-18T00:51:00.000-07:00

Laying under the sky
after a grey Winter's reign,
I feel the gentle March sun on my skin,
and hear the first birds sing:
the earth seems new again.

Green shoots grow despite the ground
still cold from the melted snow.
Purple and gold crocuses let out a warm sigh,
"Spring,"
Hope is eternal.

First snowdrops and crocuses of Spring.

Germination.

In my Burpee seedling tray: Lavender, Basil, Geranium, Painted Daisy, Petunia, Impatient, Purple Cornflower, Giant Moonflower.
They are nestled happily next to a window that gives them warm sun to grow. I planted the seeds just 5 days ago.

Tangled Yoke Cardigan

I'm almost at the garter ribbed bottom. I have modified TYC to be knit top-down, all in the round with a steek [ravlink].

More soon: Spring is active.

A New Friend

2009-02-15T17:47:00.000-08:00

Something's a cookin' in my head. The sight of melting snow and temperature's hovering just over freezing inspires me to create something a little lighter, a bit girlie, and flowery. So I searched Ravelry's patterns for something to inspire me and I came up with 0.00 results. I decided the only thing to do was create whatever was flowering in my imagination myself. I went to Barnes and Noble for some assistance and found a new friend.

I did finish my Climbing Vines Pullover, but I have been wearing it so much that I haven't had a real chance to take a photo. I'll post a picture soon. All I can say it is my favorite sweater that I I have knit so far. Everything I modified worked out perfectly. I can't wait to flaunt it.

I am very happy with my most recent creation: Noro Glittens. To go with my Bandwagon scarf. They are quite cute.

I didn't use a pattern, they just sprung from my head and onto my needles. I don't have any notes, but if anyone is looking for a bulky weight pair of glittens, I can write down what I did.

Also, check out this beautiful, elegant stole by Mel of Purling Plans. It is so lovely. Will be waiting impatiently for my spring interweave to arrive so I can make it :)

Things to Come

2009-02-07T15:40:00.000-08:00

I am very excited about this one, and I am so close to finishing that the final product might be up in just a few days. I did some special modifications with this. I hope they work out the way I am hoping.

I have a few more little projects that I have been working on as well. They need just a few more touches to be complete. They also might be for special people who aren't allowed to see them until they are unwrapped. Soon.

Absent but not Gone

2009-01-21T18:24:00.000-08:00

It has been awhile since I posted, mostly because of the busy Holiday season and mostly because I had nothing to say. Well, I have some things to say and I have some beautiful things that I finally finished to show you!

Firstly and foremost, I made something quick for myself as a post-Christmas present. I was visiting Sarah a few weekends ago and picked up a skein of Canopy at purlsoho, by The Fibre Company in Aici. It's a lovely pink to cheer me up and make me look more delicate than I am ;)

Pattern: Flared Lace Smoke Ring by Jackie Erickson-Schweitzer
Needles: Addi Turbo US 6 16"
Yarn: Canopy, The Fibre Company in Aici

My big labor of love for my sister was finally finished a few days ago. It was her Christmas present, but I ran out of yarn just days before and I miss my deadline. But no worries, it was finished in time for her to return to school. I got to snap a picture of her before she left and I think she looks pretty happy and cute in her new cozy sweater.

Pattern: 124 Pull V torsadé by Bergère de France
Yarn: Kathmandu DK (discontinued) in Midnight Blue, Queensland Collection from Webs Sale
Needles: US 2 & 3 Addi Turbo 16", 40"
Mods: None

Now for the political side of life--wasn't Michelle's dress amazing?!! :)

[Huffington Post Photo]

[NYTimes Photo]

It evoked romanticism and new beginnings, as a beautiful white dress should. I am not ashamed to admit that I cried watching the President and First Lady dance while being serenaded at the Neighborhood Ball. It is rare to get to see such a genuine moment of love and adoration in such a commercial world, but the Obama's have reminded us that there is no substitution for the Real thing.

MLK Said It Best

2008-11-05T11:54:00.000-08:00

Occasionally in life there are those moments of unutterable fulfillment which cannot be completely explained by those symbols called words. Their meanings can only be articulated by the inaudible language of the heart.

- Martin Luther King Jr.,
Nobel Peace Prize Acceptance Speech, Dec. 11, 1964.

Election Day

2008-11-04T11:22:00.000-08:00

UPDATE: WE DID IT!!!!

Making history and pointing to Hope:

And I got this cool button, which is currently residing on my bag:

More as the day rolls and polls on....

On Election Eve

2008-11-03T14:27:00.000-08:00

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

~Thomas Jefferson, The Declaration of Independence, Congress 1776

On Election Eve, what do these founding words mean to you? History is happening.

Happy Halloweenies Everyone!

2008-10-31T17:25:00.000-07:00

I went buck-wild last night with my pumpkins. My mom and I went to Van Cortlandt Manor in Sleepy Hollow, NY for "The Great Jack o' Lantern Blaze" of 2008.

The month long event features over 6,000 carved pumpkins all over the grounds of the manor. Trust me when I say it's the coolest thing ever. It exceeds the wildest imagination. Adults and kids alike are entertained by this whimsical Halloween fantasy land.

Needless to say, after coming home from the event I was inspired to carve a few pumpkins of my own for Halloween night. I thought of what means to most to me at the moment and conveyed my thoughts through my pumpkins. What a hit they were with the neighborhood! The one on the left has the Obama horizion symbol and says, "Obama," and "Vote" on the sides. And the one on the right say, "Obama '08," and "Yes We Can!" underneath.

As long as they inspire thought and conversation is what I was aiming for and it succeeded. I got so many "Right on" and "Those are so amazing!" I felt my mission was accomplished. It might have also helped that I dressed up as a gypsy and blasted Bob Dylan out my window :) The sign on the door behind me says, " Gypsies for Obama '08."

Oh, and one more thing. Last night at the blaze I saw this little gem and laughed quite heartily. And yes, it says Joe the Pumpkin.

Remember to VOTE November 4th! My pumpkins will be ablaze in support until after the election!

Roaming in Thought

2008-10-30T00:45:00.000-07:00

Roaming in thought over the Universe, I saw the little that is
Good steadily hastening towards immortality.
And the vast all that is call'd Evil I saw hastening to merge
itself and become lost and dead.

~Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass

The Times They Are A-Changin'

2008-10-29T00:01:00.000-07:00

Anyone who knows me, knows my great music loves are Bob Dylan and James Taylor. James singin' Bob for Obama makes me feel more joy than I can express. I feel very proud to be an American at this time in our history.

This needs to win all awards...

2008-10-25T22:50:00.000-07:00

Just give Tina Fey all the Emmy's everywhere. Seriously. And possibly the Nobel Peace Prize as well.
Not only has she made me piss my pants laughing every week since Puppet Head came into the McCain campaign, but she has highlighted weekly just how transparent and dangerous Sarah Palin is.
But sweariously, I am a worried if McRage and Puppet Head get to the White House full out global warfare will result in retaliation to America's imbecility. Even Canada, our piney-fresh friends to the north. I really can't blame the rest of the world after eight years of being Bushwhacked. A country that could be so easily duped into voting for "McRage" and Puppet Head after Bush deserves to be revoked of its sovereignty. A majority of imbecile's cannot be trusted to lead a global superpower, as we have learned over the past eight years. So vote smart people, so we don't get spanked with hockey sticks by the Canadians.

Koolhaas and Faux Bois...

2008-10-23T18:09:00.001-07:00

...is a fancy way of saying I made a hat and a scarf.

I am smitten with this hat. It's lovely, it's tweedy, it's soft, warm, complementary and currently in the mail on it's way to my sister's waiting head. A little pre-Christmas present if you will. I finished this little hat so quickly the thought of it waiting two whole months to be worn was unbearable, especially since it's particularly cold up in the Berkshire's right now. The color will look beautiful on her. I will have to get her to send me a photo of her wearing it, but for now my head will have to do as a model.

Pattern: Koolhaas Hat by Jared Flood [brooklyntweed]
Yarn: Classic Elite Portland Tweed in Best Teal
Needles: Addi Turbo US 6 16" for ribbing; Plymouth Bamboo dpns US 8 for body
Mods: None!

I love Jared Flood-I think he is my knitting soulmate. His tweedy, rustic designs inspire me to tweed out all year round. I am still pondering whether to modify the Cobblestone Pullover to a Cobbleletta Pullover to accommodate curves. Now only to choose the right tweed to go with it? The Portland Tweed is certainly in the running.

Now onto another knitter who knows the pleasure of a rustic knit. Adrian Bizilia, the genius behind Hello Yarn has come up with another gorgeous pattern for me to knit and love. Available through the Twist Collective's Premiere Issue, Faux Bois lives up to its name.

My little log scarf is so cute, and most importantly, my first successfully steeked piece. Yes, I cut it. Yes, I was nervous. So far there has been no unraveling.

I attached the I-cord edging before I cut the steek to re-enforce it just in case there was unraveling. Then I steamed it flat--with trepidation. Still, no unraveling. I took a chance cutting this yarn without sewing it first because it's only 30% wool, but I guess it was just enough for it to cling together.

I am very happy with the results so far. I have to find a nice bit of silk for the lining and then for the worst part...sewing :( But I will do it! This scarf deserves to be worn! Now go make one for yourself.

Shopping Sprees and Sexism

2008-10-22T18:34:00.000-07:00

As each day passes and the "most historic election in history" draws closer, I become more and more disgusted by the media. This morning I looked at The Huffington Post and saw splashed in big red letters, "$150,000 Shopping Spree!: Palin Clothes Spending has Dems Salivating, Republicans Disgusted".
I know it's my idealism rearing it's beauteous head again, but I simply cannot believe that this is the shit the media harps on. It reduces the presidential campaign to the entertainment value of The Hills. I am waiting for Joan Rivers to pop up next to Sarah Palin and ask her "who's she's wearing?" at the next rally she heads.
If we are going to rip Sarah Palin a new asshole, let's do it the right way. Nail her about her complete incompetence in politics, her inadequate experience and shoddy education, her "real america" comments, her irresponsible parenting, or allowing herself (and her family) to be used as a puppet by the good ol' boys of the GOP all while still claiming to be a "feminist". Please girl, playing to be one of the boys while still being a sexy minx is not being a feminist. It's playing into every man's Laura Croft, wet dream fantasy. I can hear it now, "She's one kick-ass, sexy bitch!" Right? She should just field dress a moose in a white tee shirt in the rain and get it over with.
This brings me back to my original issue--the "shopping spree". I know why the media harped on this one--it's easy to criticize a woman for her appearance and habits connecting to her appearance. It's what society has done to women throughout history. The most recent casualty of this rampant and socially acceptable sexism was Hillary Clinton. Unfortunately for her she was on the other-side of this sexist coin--she was the mannish looking, shrewish woman. In reality, she is an intelligent, wise, independent-minded, strong-willed, confident woman. But naturally, these characteristics that are celebrated in men are rejected in women. Maybe if she wore cute skirt suits and stiletto's while debating about foreign affairs with a folksy accent she would be the presidential nominee too?
But seriously, why listen to me? These two say it so much better.

Autumn Eye Candy

2008-10-12T20:48:00.001-07:00

I went for a ride this weekend. I stopped at Jones Farm where I got hot apple cider and a cookie and sat outside. I give you autumn in New York, and some newly finished socks.

Harvest, after the gold rush.

2008-10-06T16:58:00.000-07:00

I am a huge Neil Young fan. So when autumn rolls around I tend to listen to him ad nauseam. The obvious first pick is Harvest, but digging through my dad's old records I pulled out Comes A Time. I blew off the dusty record player and started listening. I don't know why this isn't one of his most popular albums because it's friggin' amazing.
I know I haven' posted in awhile but that doesn't mean I haven't been making any progress. I will live up to the title of this post. I bring you my most loveliest sock I have ever made. This is the first time I have been happy about having to knit a mate to sock #1. I call her Autumn Harvest Sock [ravlink]:

I am much further along on this now. I am almost at the toe! The pattern is called Chuck's Cabled Socks by the fabulous Eunny Jang. I am using Pigeonroof Studios CIRCE sock yarn in the Harvest colorway and Louet Gems Navy. I emailed fabulous Krista to request it after drooling over someone else's Harvest socks. Many people have had trouble making these and I can see why. If you don't make the floats behind the cable and purl sections loose you will create a tourniquet instead of a sock. I deliberately went up to a 3.00mm needle to help with tension issues. I have never made a Eunny pattern with the size needle recommended.

Now onto the gold rush....:)

I finished Wisteria, but I haven't gotten a good full picture yet of me modeling it, but soon. Until then I have this lovely flat picture...

....and a close up of the finished yoke :)

After I finished Wisteria I was still on a sweater high. Luckily some beautiful Elsebeth Lavold Classic AL came into my life at just the right moment. I immediately cast-on Francis and before I knew it she was finished.

This is the fastest, easiest most rewarding sweater I have ever made. I can't stop wearing her. I highly recommend this pattern!
Pattern: Francis Revisted by Beth Silverstein
Yarn: 12 skeins Elsebeth Lavold Classic AL, colorway Pinewood
Needles: Size 10 32" Susan Bates; Size 10 Inox dpns; Size 7 24" Susan Bates
Mods: Arm decreases in place of bell sleeve, and more increases after waist.

I have many many projects on the needles. I must have been sleep knitting again because one day I looked around and had so many little projects started. I think I have been craving the fall because they mostly seem to be mittens.

Meet Apple-y Mitered Mittens in Malabrigo Worsted China Apple...

and Druid Mittens in Rowan Scottish Tweed 4-ply...

and finally Faux Bois Scarf in Punta del Este Lava Space-dyed. My first official project involving steeking...my hands are already shaking.

I am glad I have so many projects that inspire me cause Christmas is just around the corner. I doubt any of these things will ever be worn by me!

Late Summer Means Sunflowers

2008-08-20T13:55:00.000-07:00

I love the colors of late summer and autumn. Everything is hot and tired looking from being out in the hot sun all summer, and in response the summers last gasp blooms colors burnt and rich. My favorite of all these is the sunflower: August's flower. Everywhere I go there are fields of sunflowers blooming, and reminds me how no matter how worn and tired I can become, something beautiful is still possible. Perhaps even the most beautiful thing of all?

The feeling that late summer has brought on me has trickled into my knitting, especially with the help of Twist Collective's new fall edition.

I have started making Wisteria [ravelry], a beautiful, autumnal looking pattern by Kate Gilbert. What can I say about it besides I LOVE IT! I have never had a sweater look so beautiful before at such an early stage. I could not have chosen a better yarn to make this sweater look and feel like a fall day: Knitpicks Wool of the Andes in Amber Heather. It glows in the sun with golden and green undertones, and the rusty color makes the palate created look like trees in Autumn.

More to come on this beauty shortly....but for now I will go outside to look at the sunflowers, follow their lead and bend towards the afternoon sunlight.

peace.

Humidity Daze, Bayou Blues, Earthy Socks and Perennial Flowers

2008-07-30T17:48:00.000-07:00

As far as Summer goes, I have never been one for blistering heat and tropical humidity, but if you live in New York these are some of the things one must get accustomed to: climate crisis anyone? So today, Day Next, of unveiling some knitting projects I will try and embrace some of the wondrous things of summer that can tend to get lost in a humid daze. Therefore, I will create my own "Summer Love" Meme to encourage me to enjoy the summer despite the heat (and sweatiness).

1. The sound and feeling of a fan blowing on me during a hot night.
2. Listening to the New Orleans Blues station on iTunes radio, making me feel as if I was living in the French Quarter (if only Funroe was that fun). They play crackily, old records, which makes me very happy.
3. Fireflies
4. Giant, cool summer salads with grilled chicken, in substitute for cooking dinner ;) p.s. that is for my whole family, not just me. The olives are super delicious: Kalamata and Italian soaked in olive oil and garlic, YUM!

5. Swimming in the ocean, the smell of the ocean, the sound of the ocean, sand, seashells: anything beach or ocean related.
6. Clam Cakes and Chowder from Narragansett
7. Del's Lemonade Quite honestly, one of the best things about summer, life and Rhode Island. If you are there pull over at "the sign of the lemon." You won't be disappointed.
8. Long days of sunlight
9. Reading in my hammock
10. Ice water
11. Flowers and gardening--lush vegetation

New Perennial Flowers:

Top left to right: Black-eyed Susan's, little white rose bush, purple garden bloomer, black-eyed Susan's.
Bottom: Two lavender bushes (all purchased at BJ's for 29.95 total! cheaps)

Overgrown weeds:

Replacing Overgrown weeds with flowers within the next week. I need to buy a tanker full of Roundup.

12. Knitting, duh! Newly started socks with Zitron Trekking Pro Natura on US size 1 Crystal Palace Bamboo DPNS. [ravelry]

Nothing special about these guys. They are just straight up stocking-knit stitch socks knit over 64 sts, with, hopefully, a short-row heel. Not every project can be a glorious as Mothy.

So what are your favorite things about summer? Consider yourself tagged for "Summer Love" meme by meggo.

Tomorrow is my birthday, yay. I am very fortunate to share my birthday with J.K. Rowling and her literary hero, Harry Potter. I am not ashamed in the slightest that I LOVE the series. I really have to make something Gryffindor related soon. I was thinking these socks with the house of Gryffindor colors of maroon and gold? [ravelry] Pom-poms and all. I hope to get birthday money to buy more yarn, take some lovely pictures, and have a good time. Until next time.

Sunshine Through Lace

2008-07-29T16:33:00.000-07:00

Today is Day One of unveiling new finished and in progress project. The first in this series is "Secret Summer Lace" project. I made the "Wing o' the Moth" shawl by Anne Hansen of Knitspot, and my oh my is it lovely. It only took me 2 weeks to complete, which is super fast. This pattern was so intuitive and gorgeous that it just flew off my needles. Also, my mother's birthday is right around the corner and I wanted to finish it very quickly. And I did--14 days early!

I got a bit carried away with the pictures, but the sunlight and greenery through the window complimented it so well that my camera just kept snapping away.

The only problem I had was a yarn shortage. This pattern really does take 900 yards of lace. You will not get away with just 880yds, like my skein had. But everything turned out well. I omitted lines 11-14 of the Corona Chart C at the end and everything turned out perfectly. I am glad I made that choice early on because this is all the yarn I had left over:

Barely enough to finish another row! Let alone four extra rows!

And just for fun here is a pre-blocked lumpy picture of Mothy, measuring a mere 55x22, which blossomed to a full 86x36 post bath and block;)

Details:

Pattern: Wing o' the Moth by Anne Hansen [ravelry]
Yarn: Beyond Basic Rose Petal Lace [etsy shop]
Needles: US 5 32" Addi Lace; 1 US 8 Susan Bates for bind-off row
Mods: Because of yarn shortage, I cut out lines 11-14 of Corona Chart C, but it still looks super hot.

Tomorrow, hopefully pictures of Wing o' the Moth shawl on a human person! a.k.a. my sister ;) PHOTOSHOOT!

Homecomings and Summer Lace

2008-07-28T00:10:00.000-07:00

I have been a real poop nugget lately about blogging, but I haven't been taking a lot of pictures lately. Yet, I have been productive in my fiber adventures. So I have vowed to myself to slowly unveil some finished knitted things, and some not-so finished knitted things over the next week.

But firstly, my little sister arrived home from London last week after a six week internship abroad. The arrival of the Bobo was less than glamorous, but genuinely affectionate. Here are the pictures I got to snap before I got yelled at:

"Momma's face says it all :)"

"HAVE BEEN ON A PLANE FOR SEVEN HOURS!! WHY ARE YOU TAKING MY PICTURE!!??!!!"

Because I have to Becca, because I am your sister and love to love you and torture you at the same time ;) I cannot help it.

On to the fibery goodness. Something special is cooking with this lovely, rosy skein of lace weight yarn. My Mom's birthday is arriving shortly, on August 11. What could be better for a summer birthday than summer lace?

Summer Lace with a little Obama goodness in the background.

My secret project is almost complete...await the unveiling very shortly.

Tweeding Out Here!

2008-05-31T00:52:00.000-07:00

Not only did I score a bag of Rowan Felted Tweed on my last trip to the City, but it is currently working hard to become my most wanted sweater of the century, no millennium. I am hard at work modifying the goodness that is the Tangled Yoke Cardigan from Interview Fall '07 into Meggos Top-Down Tangled Yoke Henley Pullover. I suppose it's what the Rainey Sisters did, but I am doing it in reverse and with some of my own things too. I was thinking about decorative buttons on the Henley V? The Tweed has flecks of black, white and light blue...perhaps, small buttons in those colors? Opinions? :) The best news so far is that I am almost done with the Celtic Braid AND I took a successful picture of it that I think even brooklyntweed would like :)

Also, I FINISHED my first top-down cardigan and I really love it. I want to model it for everyone, but I haven't found the appropriate shirt to wear underneath yet! Soon, I promiise. But to sooth the want of a FO I give you Glimmering Birch fini!

Jan was so pleased with her new shawl, and so am I! It was perfect for her and she wore it out that night for mother's day :)

I also went a little snap happy with my camera...birch is very photogenic, you know?

Updates on my TY-Pullover very soon:) I really am in love with it. I feel like I need a nice lace project to weigh out the sweater :) until next time.
MP

The Glory of Top Down Knitting

2008-05-16T12:33:00.001-07:00

Inspiration hit me hard recently. Ravelry is to blame--of course. I have been wanting to try my hand at a top down garment for awhile so I went snooping around ravelry to see what some of the amazing and talented people had come up with. Ravelry really feeds the sickness..no, the addiction. I was playing around and realized HOURS had passed while investigating, but my insanity did yield results. I came across Seealso's [ravelry] gorgeous cardigan, and knitting school dropout's beautiful new top-down, garter lovin' cardigan. After seeing these Cobblestone Pullover inspired knits I knew what my project had to be. I made a rather large purchase from Webs of Classic Elite's Four Seasons Cotton in a lovely Navy color (it was soooo cheap), and with the help of Barbara Walker's Knitting from the Top, this appeared off my needles rather quickly:

This is an older picture--I have been knitting it non-stop since I started so it's way past the armholes at this point. FO posts to come very, very soon :) I am really excited about this one. I need to go to the mall to get a proper shirt to wear underneath...see, this insanity spreads!

Is my idealism showing?

2008-05-04T17:24:00.001-07:00

Anger and rage, I say!

But..perhaps this is the invasive and uncomfortable push into our lethargic American lives that is necessary to make the war and energy crisis real. Since this country worships money hitting us where it really hurts might just push everyone enough out of their indifference and apathy into some sort of action.

This republic is in a state of limbo--like many people who stay in bad relationships (in whatever form), because they cannot conceive of a different type of life, a better way. They are convinced that the potential for happiness does not exist, or worse, that it is not deserved. How scared is everyone into believing that moving away from the imposed conception of the original archetype would crumble the structure to its foundation? But moving away, moving up creates perspective..moving away would help us see how damaging it was, and how good it can be--no, WILL BE. Our limbo has caused us to fall into a funk, a depression, and fear. It is a frightening thing to make a change and take a risk, but what if that leap of faith leads us closer to that perfect republic that was the original hope for this country?

I know holding onto the aesthetic archetype of politician for all these years has damaged us so deeply--we have been taught to look for qualities in people superficially that only exist in the human soul. I don't want to feel placated, I never have, I want to be recognized. I want to recognize that hope and that original, beautiful idea for humanity in someone else. Our founders drew their blueprints for the foundation of this republic from the best ideas that humanity had to offer, whether it be from philosophy, economics, political science, theology and so on, in hopes that these fundamental ideas would guide us to that perfect republic they envisioned. But that place can only exist if the people who are entrusted with running this republic carry within them those same ideas--undamaged and unpolluted--with an unselfish conviction for them.

But when I read back over my thoughts my hopeful idealism seems so naive in the face of our problems. But I am just one voice, perhaps a few millions more might seem more convincing? :) Audaciously hoping....

Degas Clapotis

2008-04-30T15:54:00.000-07:00

My spring Clapotis is complete. I am almost sorry to let it go, but she already has a home draped around the neck of a friend. I hope she likes her birthday present.

Pattern: Clapotis by Kate Gilbert
Needles: Boye US 6
Yarn: Koigu Painter's Palate Premium Merino
Mods: Smaller needles and yarn substitution

Just for good measure I wore it for a few hours today to "test it out". It was a perfect April Day for this lovely, light scarf. I hope my little ballerina enjoys this Degas inspired scarf. "Step right up, just like a ballerina." ~Van Morrison

To Oil Company CEO's:

2008-04-22T15:32:00.000-07:00

Go Fuck Yourself and stop Fucking us!

In case you can't see that price in full because of the pole it says $3.73 for 87. Now I know that some out west are suffering a bit more. When reading Crazy Aunt Purls recent entry I saw that LA gas prices have soared to $3.85 a gallon, and even crazier in Hawaii, $4.00. I today I felt this tsunami moving eastward when I glanced at the gas sign as I was driving home and almost drove into a pole. What the fuck is going on? I want to kick politicians in the shins really hard and scream, "FIX IT YOU ASSHOLES!"

Feeling impotent with rage I did the only thing a reasonable person could do: I bought sock yarn and ice cream.

Well, maybe the only thing a reasonable knitter could do :) isn't it pretty? It's Trekking Handart in Feuerland. I think I will be making a very simple sock with this to show off the yarn. Perhaps I'll try my hand at toe-up socks for something new.

I know I said I would be performing birch surgery soon, but I feel like I should take it to my LYS to get some assistance from the lovely ladies there. So hopefully she will be fixed by the end of the week :::crosses fingers:::. In other Birch related news I have started a new one in Rowan Kidsilk Night Starlight:

I am about six repeats in right now. Glimmering Birch [ravelry] is for one of my Mom's co-worker's. She saw my Birch and decided she had to have one of her own. So this is my first commissioned knitted piece. I have no idea what to charge for something like this? I was thinking a certain price, then the women at Sticks and Stings said, NO, $300 at least!" That seems a bit high to me, but perhaps I am not thinking about the true value of the piece. A hand-knit lace shawl with Rowan KSN--how much should it be worth?

On to the boring knitting: I am making a Clapotis out of Koigu KPPPM for a friend's birthday.

Of course, I ran out of yarn. I searched on Ravelry for the correct amount of KPPPM to use, and the average was three. So I bought three. Three was not enough. So I called Sticks and Strings and had them hold another skein for me. This pattern is a serious snore, but I have to finish it for the b-day deadline. So I am treating this project like a band-aid: rip it off quick to avoid unnecessary pain. I'm almost done with it. I am sure a FO post will be in the near future.

Spring Awakening

2008-04-17T21:18:00.000-07:00

When I was in college writing papers I always found the hardest part was the introduction. How to craft a thesis in a way that would be stimulating, alluring, and intelligent sounding. Luckily, this is my own narcissistic knitting blog where I don't have to worry about all that bullshit, right? :) So hello and welcome to my little attempt to be a part of and give back to a world that has inspired me and given me more joy than I could have hoped for.

When I was first "getting into" knitting again I spent hours (fellow knitting blog stalkers will understand) reading and falling in love with this beautiful craft. I was so inspired by the lot and talent of the work I saw being created every day and thought to myself, " maybe I can do this too?" So I jumped right in and never plan on looking back.

So what prompted me to begin this little blog? Today when I woke up I saw the sun shining in a perfect, cloudless blue sky and felt a sense of peace and joy I haven't felt since dreary winter began. I got up, planted some pansies, drank some coffee and sat in the sun and knit (it was 75 degrees out today!). It was divine. I realized how such a small thing as knitting in the sunshine could make me so perfectly happy. I think sharing this happiness and beauty with others can only lead to spreading happiness and beauty to those who seek it, as the wonderful people who have shared their own joy before. I hope to be able to contribute to this love movement in my own way. Who says Plato and knitting aren't related?!

On to the knitting!

Now even though I am trying to spread happiness and joy there are always bumps along the way, which bring me to the first order of business. My first attempt at lace was indeed a success--the Birch Shawl [ravelry] by Sharon Miller from Rowan 34. I fell in love with this patten long ago and made a promise to myself to make it when I felt my knitting skills were up to par. I made her out of Alpaca with a Twist Fino, which is a dream to knit with.

As I was taking this picture I noticed something truly terrible--a dropped stitch! When it was blocked this wonky stitch was nowhere to be seen, but in the sunlight everything become apparent. I swore loudly, took it down and folded it until I could speak to someone who could tell me how to fix such a terrible and disastrous mistake. Insert here Lucy Neatby, the knitting genius from Halifax circa Wales. Lucy came to my fabulous LYS, The Cornwall Yarn Shop, to teach a few classes and stretch our awe of her knitting skills to unimaginable depths. She told me to put a pin in it first, don't wave it around too much, and to perform a "duplicate stitch technique" to disguise this retched stitch and no one would be the wiser. Fabulous! A genius she is, I say! But how do you do a duplicate stitch? This question was answered for me when I took her 6 hour class on Intarsia the very next day. So my Birch now sits at the bench at the end of my bed, sweating, anticipating the surgery that will be performed within the next day.

Speaking of the Intarsia Workshop and Lucy, did I mention she is amazing?! Here is a small swatch of Intarsia which I spent the 6 hours of class creating, and yet, still have more to do on it.

I learned SO MUCH. Really, rent or buy her DVDs--she is fabulously cool, a great teacher, a genius and has pink hair. What could be better? I don't know? Possibly her MacBook Air, which is encased in hot pink to match her hair;) Amazing!