Knit it. Knit it good.

More MD Sheep and Wool photos

2008-05-06T13:41:00.005-05:00

Here are a few other photos.

Someone is having WAAAAAYYY too much fun.

MD Sheep and Wool Festival

2008-05-04T15:02:00.009-05:00

Wow! What a day! We went; we saw; we conquered. The weather was fabulous, neither too hot nor too cool, and the yarn.... well it was perfect.

I was fairly well behaved. I bought yarn and the Sahara pattern at Tilli Tomas' booth. She and her brother (at least that is what someone called him) were very nice and helpful. I bought 5 other skeins at other vendors; I'll be using them as gifts, and that is it.

Bobbie picked up a spindle. Watch her spin.

Here are a few other shots. I'll add more later.

Here's our fearless leader. Thanks for putting this together, Linda.

Knittapalooza Photos

2008-04-02T22:32:00.005-05:00

My camera is now talking, at least for a while, to my computer.

Here are some Knittapalooza photos.

More to come.

Easter plus

2008-03-23T15:57:00.000-05:00

Make a slideshow - it's easy!

Virginia is for Spring Lovers; Newfoundland is for Winter Lovers

2008-03-18T18:12:00.005-05:00

Beautiful... from here in spring time Virginia This was taken by one of my cousins, who is about my height. Yep... this is about waist-high snow, and it was taken yesterday!

Here's another cousin digging out.
I don't miss digging the way out to the car or digging the way to the street, even with this power shovel. Brrrrrr!

Language barrier

2008-03-18T17:02:00.003-05:00

For some reason my computer is no longer on speaking terms with my printer. I normally use my printer to upload photos.... so I can't post knittapalooza photos yet. I have to find my camera link.

I usually love technology, but things like this drive me insane! What happened between the computer and the printer? I mean when I went to bed one night did they stay up late and discuss politics or something? I bet the snazzy young laptop is going for Barak Obama, the printer... a bit older and more proper... Hillary, maybe? Or, could it be McCain?

It was a great weekend, but I will share the text with the photos.

HELP MEEEEEEE!

2008-03-14T21:55:00.002-05:00

OK. So today I saw Dawn wearing Sally Melville's kid mohair shirt. WOW! I wanted it when I saw Sally knitting it last year at knitapalooza! NOW I need it.

Tonight I bought 3 skeins of shi bui silk cloud, but I think I will need a wee bit of another skein. Anyone out there have any?

col. sc2501 lot 0907

It is a NEED! Certainly not a want!

Knitapalooza

2008-03-13T08:12:00.002-05:00

Are you ready?

I have one swatch left to finish. :) I'm taking classes with each of the instructors.

HEEL! Learn Toe Up Socks with Mutt-Luks!
New Directions in Knitting With Color Mosaics
Fully Fashioned and Fabulous
Intermediate Lace Knitting

And don't forget the PJ Party! I now wish I had made a fabulous bed jacket. Didn't Lyn S. start one?

Photos?.... still a slacker.

I just finished the silk bolero. It is WOW! I'm going to wear it one day over the weekend and beg someone to take a photo, so it will get posted.

Maureen Mason Jamieson Workshops

2008-02-23T13:43:00.002-05:00

Because I ran out of time, I haven't blogged about the workshops two weekends ago. (In English teacher talk I just changed a noun [blog] into a verb [blog, blogged, blogging] FYI: blog is a neologism... aren't you glad you checked in to read this stuff?).

Anyway, here is the scoop about the wonderful workshops provided by Maureen Mason Jamieson, which were sponsored by the Tidewater Knitting Guild of Virginia.

We learned how to use up our stash... for me, this will be a loooonnng process.

How to create hand-made items with our stash...vs. the negatively connotative: home made. What a difference between these two, right?

We also learned about shawl making and advanced mitering. What an excellent weekend!

Maureen's beautiful shawl. She bought some of this yarn at a thrift store! Don't you suspect that the black yarn cost as much or much, much more than the thrift store purchase? ;)

Jackie S. hard at work.

Linda J. and Maureen Mason Jamieson

Maureen Mason Jamieson and I

I bought a crochet pattern! I am not 100% sure how to read the pattern, but because it is beautiful, I plan to make the sweater anyway. :)

A week in Florida

2008-02-22T22:38:00.003-05:00

Hi All,
I just returned from a week in Orlando, where, believe it or not, I did A LOT of knitting. I finished all the body parts and sleeves, and crocheted everything together for the Sparkle sweater. While finishing it, I was able to freak out all the techie folks at this conference by knitting while asking tough questions. SWEEET.

Photos to follow.

I think I ran out of yarn for the front/neck band!!! I used Cascade's Venezia. It is great to work with and a very good price. I hope Bobbie at Ewe Knit has an extra skein in my dye lot. At least it is just the trim, right?

Stacey also has the zipper in Audrey. VERY nice. Photos do not do it any kind of justice.

Zipper in. Stacey hurry

2008-02-05T23:29:00.000-05:00

The zipper came in last week. I dropped Audrey2 off with Stacey. She asked, "When do you want it?" I said now... she laughed. sigh! As it will be in the 70s tomorrow, I guess I don't need it.

Zipper Source, Hurry Up

2008-01-26T19:28:00.000-05:00

I am finished Audrey 2. This sweater is great. I love it in Otto, and the black doesn't hide the large meandering cable. Now all I need is the zipper from Zippersource.com

Sorry for the blurry shot. It is the best of the bunch that I took.

2nd audrey blocking

2008-01-19T11:07:00.000-05:00

I am finished the second Audrey, and it is blocking. I almost ran out of yarn. I could have used an extra inch on the front...maybe. I haven't measured since I set it up for blocking. Tomorrow, or Monday, I'll know for sure. Otto is such a springy yarn, that I suspect everything will be fine.

I'm getting a zipper, and I hope Stacey, the tailor, is all caught up from the Christmas and New Year rush. Whenever I finish knitting a sweater, I want it finished NOW!

2nd audrey

2008-01-11T16:36:00.000-05:00

I am almost finished the second Audrey. YAY!

I have also started Lora's opera sweater, which is her own design. There are four or five of us who are test knitting it. It's a top-down, raglan sleeve, mock cable beauty.

Tonight I MUST knit and felt a purse for a friend. AND I am going to see Bucket List. I'd better cast on before we leave.

Teenage son is off with THE GIRLFRIEND. My niece is with them; they are going on a double date. They are going to eat (pizza) and see a the movie Juno. I want to see that one too.

Photos next time. Maybe both the purse and Audrey will be finished tomorrow. :) Must knit faster!

Back to work

2008-01-06T15:04:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow, I begin spring semester classes. I am not ready. Well, my plans are ready, and my syllabi are ready, but mentally, I am not ready. I bet at least half of my students feel the same way. Who am I kidding? I bet 99% of them feel the same way.

I have an afternoon class tomorrow. My afternoon classes typically fill with students who are, shall we say, less than energetic. Can I require them to drink Red Bull or at least Mountain Dew? Maybe I'll be surprised, and they will be different this semester. :)

Knitting note: I saw Linda's Mr. Greenjeans in person today. It looks great!

Yarndex

2008-01-03T16:17:00.000-05:00

Does everyone know about Yarndex? I find it to be a very useful tool. I'm planning to make Mr. Greenjeans with yarn from my stash. (Yeah, I know I am finishing Audrey 2, and starting Lora's Opera sweater, and still need to finish Rowan's Sparkle, but I can plan, can't I?)

So,anyway, I used the Yarndex to determine the info. for the original yarn. It looks like I have a few yarns that will work. I wish work didn't interfere so frequently with my knitting time.

Kemtee beat me

2008-01-02T02:00:00.001-05:00

Only a B or a C depending on the grading scale:
82%LUSH

Find Ultrasound careers

audrey photos

2008-01-01T12:19:00.000-05:00

Here's a photo of the first audrey .

Here is a photo of the second audrey WIP , and here's a close-up.

Ravelry, Now What?

2007-12-31T13:10:00.000-05:00

I've been on Ravelry for about a month now. I'm still not sure how to use it... or what exactly to use it for. I certainly haven't figured out how to post photos.

Joanne said to use Ravelry to find patterns for yarn I own. That could take a while. My stash is HUGE!

Linda is using Ravelry to showcase her designs! Way to go, Linda! I'm just not there yet.

New topic and new project: my second Audrey (from Hot Knits by Melissa Leapman) sweater! It is about 1/2 complete. I am finishing up the fronts (hopefully today or tonight... yes, I do lead the exciting life on New Year's Eve!)

I am attending a hogamanay parade in Portsmouth, and then we'll hang out for a bit of Scottish and maybe some Irish Ceilidah dancing at a friend's house. But I don't plan on staying to ring in the New Year. I want to finish this sweater! I have my priorities straight.

I made the first Audrey sweater from Blue Sky Alpaca's organic cotton. Great colors... much pilling. *Sigh*

The new Audrey is from Merinos Otto. It is beautiful. Great knitting, and no stupid mistakes this time. :) I learned from my mistakes on the first one!!! Amazing how that can work... sometimes.

I guess, I'll break out the camera one of these days and post a few photos. :)

Fall Semester is Officially OVER!

2007-12-14T07:44:00.000-05:00

I just finished grading on one of the most work intensive semesters since I first started teaching. I need a new mantra... NO! NO!! NO!!!

Little knitting or reading had been completed since Oct. However, many of the rooms in my house were stripped of icky, old, smoke-stained wallpaper, and the house was painted. Off-white. Yes, I know.... boring. My house is dark, and I wanted it lighter. The painters were... ok, but s-l-o-w.

I bought a HUGE entertainment center... that looked small in the showroom! Now I must move all the cable and computer wiring to the other side of my loooooooong living room. However, this requires, not Cox, as one would expect, but an electrician. I called a guy... who promised to call this week. Isn't it Fri.? I mean come on?!?! Still no guy.

Christmas decorations... are not up... because I am waiting for electrician guy to come over.

I need a break, but instead, I'll be working hard to finish up Christmas gift shopping... forget ALL about Christmas knitting this year... This has been one of my least productive knitting years. Heck... it is probably one of my least productive years.

No knitting photos... though I am on the sleeves of my Audrey sweater. :(

A few items on today's to dos:
1). Call electrician... new guy... tired of waiting on other guy. Maybe I can find electrician girl/gal/woman. Surely a female would understand the need to return a flipping phone call or ten.
2) Call friend who wants to set up a "get together" before she goes to Fla. for Christmas.
3) Pick up new glasses. Why can I see and read the newspaper some mornings and not others? Based on the info. from my optometrist, old age eyes making inroads into my life. Yeah, she said it in a much more pc manner... but the meaning remains the same.
4) Go to VWC to pick up pay stubs. I thought when I opted to have automatic deposit, the stubs would go to an online format as well... NOPE. And I have been cheerfully ignoring all their emails on this subject, thinking: Well, I took care of that! Uh... NO I didn't.
5) Deciding whether or not to call a student who failed the class to explain why she failed... let's see: NO papers were submitted on time, and when they were submitted, there were no citations ... aka plagiarism. 0 + 0 + 0 = heck even this English teacher can add that in her head. She has been calling my office and emailing... Her main claim, "Well I worked hard and I was there almost every class."
6) Meet son shortly after noon to check out the 5.0+ mm wetsuits for Bruce for Christmas. He just broke the zipper in his current. Now you may think this was bad, but it wasn't; unless Bruce buys a new wetsuit in the next 10 days, we will be able to get him a gift he actually will use!
7) Pay bills :(
8) Start the house cleaning process... STUFF is still in odd places from the painters ... so some things must be moved before cleaning.
9) Call Ed. Tech. VP to get info. on an the itunesU proposal I'm working on. This is likely to be a phone tag marathon, which could go into next week.

I'm sure I'm missing a thing or two...

I know I need to do some work on my TCC website, and on the Faculty Senate website, and I need to prepare material for next semester in all my classes... but with the exception of #9 above, I am taking the day off from teaching.

Knit Out and Crochet too 2007

2007-10-06T17:32:00.000-05:00

It was a good day today, but boy was it hot and sticky! The rain waited though, so it was all for the best.

I met fellow, but more diligent, blogger Kemtee from Drive by Thinking. :) She had her lovely daughter HSH with her. Not a bit of knitwear was on either of them.... I wonder if the steamy weather had just a little to do with that?

Knit Out and Crochet too 2007

2007-09-30T16:30:00.001-05:00

Again, with the no photos!!

I am working too many hours, grading too many papers, and knitting too little. :(
But I am glad to check out what everyone else is doing.

The TKGV's Knit Out will be held 10/6/07. Don't forget to come out. I just helped sort all the prizes. There will be many cool give-aways.

See you at the Farmer's Market in Virginia Beach, at 10:00 - 3:00 this Sat.

a bit of knitting

2007-09-08T21:32:00.000-05:00

I know it isn't much, but here's some of the knitting I have completed lately. All other recently knitted items look... much the same.

I haven't started on the Audrey sweater from Melissa Leapman's Hot Knits. I can't make the Wed. night knit alongs. :( Teaching this kiddie lit class for VWC sounded good at the time, but I think the knitting time is better for my mental health. If I lose my mind this semester, everyone will know why.

Anyway, I haven't done more than knit the swatch, muddle through the math....because I wanted to use Blue Sky Alpaca's cotton yarn for the sweater... I must pay for this change by fiddling with math.

A colleague and I had to go to Va Tech today for a meeting. Because I need the knitting time, I almost asked him to drive... but it is my car... and I didn't do it. Ten+ hours of lost knitting time. :( So.... I now feel compelled to go knit.

Knitting felting in the washer

2007-08-31T16:06:00.000-05:00

Pictures soon, I promise. I've knit (my own patterns...yeah!) a few items for felting. After the first wash, things are looking good, but they need another round. I'm sure I'll be adding a few more items.

I still have to find buttons for my friend's baby sweaters. I'm just not loving anything I find.

On a totally different topic, I was saddened to read that Hilly Kristal had died Tues. Oy! Oy! Oy! Where would punk be without CBGB? And you know I LOVE that old punk rock.

Should I, or Shouldn't I?

2007-08-25T17:07:00.000-05:00

Would What Not to Wear come get me for this?

It is in the new Folk Style book.

Go here for a better look:
Folk Style

Photos of Newfoundland

2007-08-22T15:53:00.000-05:00

OK... I am bad. I have a few knitted things in the works, but no photos. And as one of my local knitting buddies says, "It's all about the photos!"

Here are some of the photos I took in Newfoundland. I particularly like the one I took of the Narrows from The Rooms. Very nice light.

Lobster feed the night before we left Newfoundland
A visit to Paradise
Swimming at Manuels River... FYI I did not swim.... too cold for me. But my teenage son sure didn't seem to mind.
The Narrows of St. John's, Newfoundland
They were singing, "I Had a Hat When I Came in"
Hi Mom

I'm Back

2007-08-17T15:40:00.000-05:00

I went on vacation. I did knit some, but I gave the bunny, booties, hat, and baby sweaters as gifts. I'm working on another one right now. So, I'll have photos soon.

Jewish Mother

2007-07-08T00:06:00.000-05:00

The show went well! Yay! Jeremiah did an interesting move.... stood on his amp to jump at the finale... but the amp was on wheels tonight... so it rolled. He hit the stage on his back, kept playing, and kicked up his legs to entertain the crowd! The kid has chutzpah! Where did he come from? I never had this self confidence at 16.

We also heard a great band tonight: Murphy's Kids. These guys are worth the bucks, and they are playing at the Peppermint Beach Club in VB on July 21. I'm going, with my son and at least one car load of kids. Will I see you there? Bring your knitting.

The "more seasoned band" sounded like they were trying too hard. They were unnecessarily vulgar. All of us left because they used a derogatory term for women... and those of us at my table who were paying for the evening food and drinks for 8 or 9 people were... you got it ... WOMEN! We left. I, and the other women at our table and at other tables who were doing the paying, can spend our $$$ elsewhere.

bit 'o braggin'

2007-07-03T23:02:00.000-05:00

Pick it up! Pick it up! Can you tell this post is not about knitting?

TS, and the other Couch Jumpers will be playing at the Jewish Mother on Sat. July 7th, at 8:p.m. Ska bands Jackmove and Murphy's Kids will perform, The Couch Jumpers are the opening act.

Come down to the Jewish Mother, this roadie mom will definitely be there. I will be embarrassing (only slightly) TS by knitting during all shows. ;)

Small Swag

2007-06-25T23:47:00.000-05:00

Here's the teeny tiny amount of swag purchased in Knitting Addiction.
I plan to make three of these:

See... remarkable, and awful, boring restraint.

I have been looking for the big purchase for TS. A car. So yarn $$$ must be saved. Bummer, huh?

Road Trip reprise

2007-06-25T15:04:00.000-05:00

Our road trip was TOTALLY EXCELLENT, but I have no photographic evidence because I forgot my camera. :(

Knitting Addiction does have some cool stuff. I really liked the comfy seating at the front of the VERY large store. She also had a brag book for her knitters to show off finished projects. I met two fairly new knitters, both of whom are creating beautiful items.

We bought... I bought in moderation.... sigh! A yarn diet really cuts into my desire for a yarn free for all!

Patt increased her trunk stash... yes, you read correctly. This woman has more stash in the trunk of her car than some people have under their beds. As this is only her TRUNK stash, this means she ALSO has yarn in her house... probably everywhere! I did take a photo of the trunk stash on my cell phone... Now I have to figure out how to down/up load it. :)

The weather was beautiful, the company remarkable, and the yarn shop well worth the trip. In all a fabulous summer day.

Road Trip

2007-06-20T08:59:00.001-05:00

A bunch of the women from Ewe Knits will be taking a road trip to Knitting Addiction on Sat. We're going to ~~maul~~ ~~fondle~~ maybe buy yarn. Don't you just love that maybe? I had planned to drive, but TS and his band play at Phil's Grill that evening, and he needs my car.

*SIGH* When his plans interfere with my knitting plans, I know it is time to car shop for him. UGH! I've been hunting pilotonline.com and the AutoTrader. Andrea suggested CarMax, so I am looking there now.

Ignore all directions

2007-06-19T13:54:00.000-05:00

A bunch of us at Ewe Knits started a knitalong last night. The Alexa Wave Shell is beautiful, but HUGE!

My first cast on wrapped around my front, and 1/2 way around my back.

I am a petite person, and I usually have to size things down a bit, but this moves down from 108 stitches to 80 stitches for the front! Ack!

Dona noted that many patterns now come in plus sizes; why not petites too?

hot knit knitalong

2007-06-10T21:28:00.000-05:00

A bunch of the Ewe Knit regulars have been discussing doing the Audrey sweater from Melissa Leapman's Hot Knits.

I just looked up the yarn used; it is Lion Brand's Kool Wool. I don't want to use Kool Wool, but the specs are: in st st, with size 10.5 needles, 13 sts and 20 rows = 4". So, as soon as I return from the conference, I'm going through my stash. ;)

Knit in Public Day

2007-06-10T21:03:00.001-05:00

June 9th was a beautiful, sunny day here in Va Beach. Bobbie, over at Ewe Knits had a BYOC (chair) and we sat to knit in the well-shaded, breezy walkway in front of the shop.

I won one of the drawings: knitting needles (circular and straight), water bottle, and special detergent for my precious knitted items. Cool, huh?

Groovy Girl (I CANNOT find her link now!!!) showed up, and I recognized her from her blog.

Andrea was knitting Adrienne Vittadini's, Alexa Wave Shell. It looks great. So.... we started talking about a knit-a-long. A little later, the Temptress quietly walked into the shop and bought yarn.
Wellllll we couldn't be outdone. So, we set it up with days and times, and in a very short time, you will see many of the Ewe Knit regulars sporting the Alexa Wave Shell in various color combinations.

Here are some of the other knitters:

Babies

2007-06-08T13:23:00.000-05:00

I finished one and almost finished another baby sweater.

I made this one for a cousin in Newfoundland, and I just finished another one for a friend in California. They will never see each other, so their outfits won't clash. I like the version on the model, my cousin Benjamin. He's my first cousin's son, so what does that make him? My first cousin, once removed is my bet. Once removed means one generation down right?

I finished the sleeve on the yellow baby sweater, and now I have to move to the button band.

I'll be flying to Boston for a work conference next week, so I won't be working on anything big. I have some nice Fleece Artist sock yarn that I bought in Toronto last year, and I think that will be my travel knitting. I have some tiny Brittany needles that should pass the airline test.

I, who am NOT a morning person, am leaving for this trip at 4:45 in the morning. ICK! I SAY I will go to bed early, but somehow, I just know, it won't happen.

Go Look At Rose-Kim knits

2007-06-01T17:14:00.000-05:00

You have to see this: Rose-Kim Knits: Thursday's are for What the Hell is This? You want Thurs. May 31, 2007.

Enjoy!

Photo editing extraordinaire

2007-05-30T21:34:00.000-05:00

Just a little while ago, when I was supposed to be grading paragraphs, I was seeing what had been added at Rose-Kim Knits. She mentions a new free online photo editing site called Picnik. I've tried a few of these before, and most are s-l-o-o-o-o-w.

Once I loaded Picnik, I noticed the link to flickr. I clicked, I selected this dark photo. (TS forgot the flash.)

Look what Picnik : did in less than 30 seconds!

And this: to this:

I am very impressed. How about you?

Now I not only can thank Jessica for her entertaining, "Thursdays are for What the Hell is This?" but also for turning me on to Picnik.

A Little Knitting

2007-05-28T12:03:00.000-05:00

I saw Pirates of the Caribbean, I don't care what the reviews said, I liked it. Went with TS and some of our friends, plus I had 3 hours of mindless knitting... What is not to like?

I finished the almost made to gift status scarf. This yarn Cashmere/Silk Melange from School Products, is fabulous. So.... it won't be a gift... I am keeping this little mistake stitch rib number for me.

I'll be ordering some more of this yarn though. At $10 a skein, it is a steal.

In baby sweater news, I have only sleeves to go.

Not so instant gratification

2007-05-24T06:17:00.000-05:00

It is a good thing I started an IG baby sweater last week. It has been so busy around here that all progress ground to a stop, even on that quicky sweater. My niece is staying the week with me. She and my son are in the same grade, and attend the same school, but adding one extra person to the mix, especially during the first week of the summer semester has really put a dent in knitting time.

TS had to go to court to receive his "real" license yesterday. It is official; he can drive on the streets of VB.

I'm off to meetings all day, and as I am chairing them, I won't get any knitting done.

Tomorrow, tomorrow...

The Couch Jumpers

2007-05-18T22:43:00.001-05:00

With several other bands, The Couch Jumpers played tonight at Club Relevant. The sound was excellent, and tonight was the first time they were not among the openers. They were the act right before the headliners. Very cool.

Thanks to Club Relevant staff; they worked hard to make sure each band's sound was just right, and they worked the lighting and fog machines so every band received professional treatment. At first I thought $10 was steep for a show aimed at teens, but these folks really worked hard for the young bands. Very nice.

bragging pics:
TS

New trombonist: Josh

Michael

Jason

TS again

band

And a good time was had by all... OK. The parents and less, shall we say avid fans, sat and stood along the walls. But we still thoroughly enjoyed the music.

Babies Everywhere

2007-05-16T22:50:00.000-05:00

I am getting some IG knitting baby sweaters for three different future babies. After knitting Starlight, they are speedy quick.

My niece is pregnant, and due in August. My cousin Susanna is due in July, and so is my friend Carmen.

My plan is to make one yellow, one white, and one green. I'm playing with a sand stitch pattern. for the top, and plain reverse stockinette for the bottom. I started the yellow one tonight when I went to Ewe Knits for a little knitting time. I'm already at the underarms. I love knitting baby sweaters.

What to knit?

2007-05-10T17:58:00.000-05:00

I am currently contemplating my next garment. (I noticed Wendy is choosing her next fun project.)

I have some Purled Llama silk that is calling me.

I see a shell... fairly simple to show off the hand dying. But I need to do math to determine whether or not I have enough. Grumperina does it well. I don't. I can see myself finished up to the armpits...and running out of yarn.

In the mean time, I am working up some felted items for a show later this year. More info. to come.

I've also started a scarf from School Products. I am using the middle yarn in the photo. It is fabulous yarn...silk and cashmere, and it's only $10 a skein. My very simple mistake stitch rib scarf is going to feel and look far more expensive.

Starlight

2007-05-10T15:48:00.001-05:00

I finished Starlight. Check it out. It is my new favorite sweater. :)

First Destash Sales

2007-05-08T07:28:00.000-05:00

I know posting twice in the same day makes me look as addicted to my blog as some teenagers are hooked on MySpace... not naming any names TS or Dancer Niece.

But I wanted this to post separately, instead of in the last one.

I sold my first two sets of yarn on Destash... I already feel the slimming effects. I had responses from the first day! Very cool.

So far, I have resisted buying more stash from Destash, but that is because I TOTALLY missed the Koigu. I really like the springy feel and stunning colors of this yarn.

To help keep my resistance, I've given myself a goal. At the end of this week, I'll post a little more of the stash I may never get to, and if I sell $200, I'm going to allow myself a little splurge. Fair, right?

I Finished Starlight

2007-05-08T07:22:00.000-05:00

In case you didn't see the title, I finished Starlight!!! It looks and fits great. However, I can't seem to get a decent shot of it on me. I'd never make it on MYSPACE, would I? As soon as TS returns from school today, I'll recruit him to photograph me in this beauty.

Charm, in the same book as Starlight, is also calling me.

I have some yarn almost the same color... two pale green sweaters... I'm just not sure about that. But the color is incredible.

Neighbors with a View

2007-05-05T20:31:00.000-05:00

I was just on MySpace... to find the dates of my son's next gig to email to a friend, and of course... I became distracted and looked at some of his friend's pages... and some of the photos they have. Ummm ... yes, I know I am supposed to finish up some grading.

I found this.

This is my tree... in the fall. The neighbor's son labeled it something like "beautiful tree...too bad it's not this color all year." ;) So I admire their spring dogwoods, and they admire my maple. cool trade, huh?

Why didn't you join us?

2007-05-05T19:53:00.000-05:00

Hey Loretta the lurker, why didn't you join us and knit on Wed. night? ;) There you were buying beautiful Koigu, and heck, needles were certainly available. The Wed. knitting group at Ewe Knit Kits and Yarns are a lively bunch; you'd enjoy them.

I figured out buttons!

2007-05-04T13:20:00.000-05:00

Are you impressed or what? It did take m-u-c-h fiddling about, but I did it.

I also posted on Destash. So, maybe my reduction plan will soon allow me off the yarn diet.

But... check out the Cashmere merino from School Products that was just listed there.... and Misti Alpaca listed further down. Temptations... I keep telling myself stay the course.

I am finished grading for today, more will arrive online tonight and tomorrow. The end is near... and the new beginning.... summer semester is also only a few weeks away.

For now, I'm going to bench press, and then I'll work on Starlight... I finished the sleeves! Time to put it together and finish the front bands.

Shout Out to Bill M

2007-05-01T15:06:00.000-05:00

I work with many great people at TCC. One of them, Bill M., teaches computer classes. When TS wiped out my hard-drive, I emailed Bill to determine whether or not the info. could be saved.

He did it! I don't know how... though I must admit he tried to explain.

Bill also, kindly, reminded me to backup. So.... now I am, but I have tons of stuff on the disk, so it will take a while.

Buttons, buttons, who's got the buttons?

2007-04-30T22:18:00.001-05:00

Well I don't have the buttons. I guess that is another item to add to the to do list: Figure out how to add buttons on blogger, so I can add Destash... and really make it visible.

And I know this doesn't count:

I know Grumperina has a tutorial. I just need time to get the tutoring.

Starlight at the end of the tunnel

2007-04-30T22:04:00.000-05:00

Yes, I am finally near the end with Starlight. Committee work, grading, and computer woes, have really s-l-o-w-e-d this project down. :(

I am up to my arm pits, usually not a good thing, but in this case a very good thing!

It is final exam week... so I won't have much time. Add to that 2 committee meetings and a going away dinner for a friend, and well... I am over booked again this week.

One HURRAY! I was accepted on Destash

Yes! Cash for, well not all, but SOME of my stash, because all would
1) clog Destash, and they would kick me OFF
2) cause me to have a nervous breakdown
3) cause me to restock... rapidly. (I bet my LYSs would love this).
4) all of the above.

As I tell my students, when "all of the above" is a choice... it has a good chance of being correct.

I took some photos today, and on my list of things to do tomorrow:
make them look good
carefully read the instructions to post on Destash.

Cursed Dell Still Not Right

2007-04-27T20:06:00.000-05:00

A friend from work was able to save, we think, all of my documents and programs. YEAH!!! But guess what is not there... my internet drivers?!?! I didn't even know the computer had drivers for the internet. I thought it was a program. But whenever I try to access the interenet... I get the same *@%* message...

In the mean time I am backing up the files and preparing for my next attempt at fixing this problem. And it is exam week.

Doesn't it just figure?

Knitalong in Memory of Mary Read

2007-04-22T21:34:00.000-05:00

FYI

Here is one way to give in memory of the Hokies.

CURSED DELL TECH SUPPORT

2007-04-22T19:43:00.000-05:00

ARRRRGH!!!

The Dell Techie Geeks, housed somewhere in India, told my son that installing new operating system disks would NOT erase personal data!!!!!! He did it! I am so screwed! Everything for my summer classes was on there. Yes, I can recreate... but it will take weeks of hard work.

My final exams were on there. Again, they can be recreated... but more time.

All our music has been deleted. DAMN.

And all photos are gone.

I am FREAKING mad. I talked to 3 different levels of support/management... and no one could do more than say how sorry they were.... OH yeah... and they'd be sure to talk to those two technicians so that they wouldn't make that mistake again!!!! How EXACTLY does this help me?!?!

The next level up Geek is supposed to call me on Tues. I want them to pay for Drive Savers, and I don't care how much it costs them.

GRRRRRR!!!!!

Seriously, does Mac outsource their tech support?

Virginia Tech

2007-04-20T06:56:00.000-05:00

I just visited Rose-Kim Knits to check our her weekly "What the Hell is This?" ...aside... Thank you, thank you, thank you... jessica for the entertainment, especially this week.

On Tues., she said: "I'm tired of our response to violence. All the endless obsessing over the killer and searching for something in his behavior that will explain the terrible thing he did. The headline "VA Tech Killer Had Mental Problems" just makes me think, 'No shit.'"

Me too.

I too am saddened by the deaths and injuries to these young people and their professors. I am sickened by the violence wrought by one unbalanced individual.

But I too am tired of our response.... actually, I am a little angry at our collective responses to such violence because I think the on air, and other media obsession with such individuals....encourages other unbalanced people to follow on this path.

And that most definitely is NOT our goal. TV stations, radio stations, and other media sources must "sell;" it doesn't mean we have to buy. I refuse to look at the images, or read one word about the killer.

I will read and think about those lost and their families.

And I will vote for sensible gun control, because the Virginia Tech massacre truly should not have happened.

cursed dell

2007-04-20T06:49:00.000-05:00

After a week, many phone calls, downloading programs, turning "stuff" off, turning "stuff" on, and generally talking far, far too long to tech support at Dell, my USB drives and printer are still not talking to my computer.

This all started when my son's Dell DJ (mp3) died. This is the third one, and we have a warranty, so, no big deal.

BUT when he received the replacement, the pop-up said..the DJ had been bought for use in a foreign country; therefore, it wouldn't work in the U.S.

Back to the Dell help lines... after hours of work, the decision was to ship this one back and have another replacement sent.

In the meantime, my DJ stopped talking to the computer.

Another call to the help lines.... and so it goes.

Anyway no photos this week because of the cursed Dell.

I am beginning to lean MAC.

TS is Officially Driving

2007-04-18T18:25:00.000-05:00

Jeremiah is officially driving now. He's taken his first ride in my car without an adult! He drove to Moe's Music to take in his small amplifier. He caught it on fire!

Monday night we saw Great Big Sea. They were great ;) (one person who shall remain nameless... who reads...but doesn't comment... asked: was that an intentional pun? ... hmmmm..... you KNOW me.... what do you think?)

I cannot believe the theater didn't sell out! In Newfoundland we wouldn't have even gotten close to them! Here in Norfolk, we sat right on top of them. After the show we chased them down at their bus. These guys are Canadian superstars, yet they stood for photos with us, and chatted kindly with the kids and all the people out there waiting. These guys really are superstars.

2007-04-14T22:36:00.000-05:00

I am volunteering at the Spring Craft Market at the VB Convention Center. I am knitting, and knitting, and knitting, on the Starlight Sleeves. I am up to my elbows. ;)

Yesterday, my computer decided NOT to recognize my camera or printer! Therefore, I cannot add photos tonight, and I won't have time to figure this out tomorrow. Maybe my wonderful TS can figure it out.

I hear people with Apple computers do not have these problems!

Turkish Cast on, Toe-up, socks on Magic Loop

2007-04-07T14:36:00.000-05:00

I have a finished object... or does it count as two because they are socks?

Call me anal, but it bothers me that the stripes aren't matching exactly.

I took Joanne F's. sock class at Ewe Knits. She is an excellent teacher, and provides clear handouts with both well-written instructions and clear photos. She's well prepared, very organized, and patient as all get out. What more could one ask in a knitting teacher? Thanks Joanne.

A note on the Importance of Guage

2007-04-07T14:23:00.000-05:00

During March's Guild meeting, Jackie S. demonstrated steeks on Linda J.'s Norwegian sweater. Linda fitted the sleeves, and wore it to the meeting in April.

Doesn't it look great?

But Linda says looks can be deceiving. She recommended checking gauge when you move from one-color to multi-color knitting. Though we cannot tell by looking, Linda demonstrated that the top, stranded part of the sweater was much tighter than the bottom.

The thing is, all of us KNOW this.... but how often do we ignore this knowledge, and just forge ahead? I rip, and rip, and rip... because of errors with gauge... even though I know better. I guess I am on a slow learning curve on that one.

Snow in April, in VIRGINIA BEACH!

2007-04-07T14:07:00.000-05:00

First of all, as all the locals know, we had snow today! Amazing! At about 9:00 April 7th, it was snowing quite heavily. I finally dragged myself outside to take photos at about 9:30, and awakened TS to come pose for a few.

My neighborhood is beautiful this time of year. Here's a photo of my dogwood tree in bloom.... tiny, but this is the first year it has bloomed, so I am excited and think it is beautiful despite the puny amount of blooms and the snow.

Now, check out my neighbor's dogwood trees in bloom.

My view definitely beats their view. ;)

Gathering of the Guilds

2007-04-07T13:54:00.000-05:00

Last weekend, Tidewater Knitting Guild of Virginia participated in the Francis Land House's annual Gathering of the Guilds. My mom, Linda Johnson, and I set up. Here's a photo of us and some of our knits.
The spinners were across from us, and here's a shot of Faye R. at her wheel.

I could easily see my knitting in the baskets set up next to us.

Bobbie B. brought Peter Rabbit along. While she was there, she worked on Mrs. Tiggy Winkle. Bobbie's critters are beautiful, but I cannot believe the amount of sewing up required for each! UGH!

We had a good day, and look forward to next year.

Embarrassing

2007-03-30T18:57:00.000-05:00

Picture this...
It is just before dusk...dim...not dark, and I was returning from grocery shopping and lugging the stuff into the house.
A man rode by on a bike, and in a deep voice, he said "hey there." "Yeah You!" I continued to carry the stuff and offered a dirty look.

He said, "Helloooo." I swear I didn't recognize him. Then he said, "Hi Neighbor!...Next door neighbor!"

Yep. It was my next door neighbor!!! AAAACK. It got worse. I told him, he didn't sound like himself... his voice isn't as deep as he had made it sound at first...but, thank heaven I didn't say that part.

He had on a bulky jacket. So, I told him he looked bulkier ... did not get to finish my sentence... He said, "Thanks!" Nope... not good.

After much hemming and hawing on my part... tongue in knots... could not talk.... URGH! escaped....

His hair is also a bit longer and so, he appears much grayer... At least I didn't say that.

THEN.... I called one of my friends, another neighbor. Her phone rang, a woman answered.... I said, "Hey... Omigod, you are not going to believe how I just embarrassed myself and insulted Chad." The woman laughed. Then as I told her about it, she punctuated the conversation with laughs and questions in the right places.

When I ended with, "Can you believe it?!?" She said no... and that I had the wrong number, but she was glad I had called because it was better than TV! Well that made the two of us laugh hysterically. I was fairly certain I had dialed the right prefix, so I asked if she lived in Thalia and would be able to mock me to all our mutual neighbors...

She responded, "I don't know where Thalia is." Whew... I thought...

Then she continued. I am from Utah. Guess where my friend's mother-in-law is from? Yep. Utah. But she thought I had dialed the wrong number! When I told her I really was calling for Lisa, she seemed quite surprised.... although she was answering Lisa's phone, in Lisa's house.

Now I am trying to decide whether
a) she was weird for carrying on the conversation.
b) I am weird... for all of the above.... and just having one of those days
c) all of the above.

When in doubt c out.

Swag photos

2007-03-27T19:28:00.000-05:00

Here's my swag from Knittapalooza.

In the bag

and on the loose
.

Rio de la plata yarn and a pattern too. Thanks to Bobbie at Ewe Knit Kits and Yarns for this excellent addition to my stash. I am thinking of using Sally Melville's stripes that aren't technique, and blend this yarn with either a navy blue or dark green every third row.

But first I must finish Starlight.
.

Knit, knit, knit. Why does work have to interfere with my knitting time?

Who's Buying Knit Wits?

2007-03-23T07:40:00.000-05:00

VB has 5 LYS. Ewe Knit Kits and Yarns, Hook and I, the Knitting Corner, Yarn Basket, and Knit Wits, which WAS going out of business. But I just received my guild newsletter, and the Knit Wit's ad says they are staying open. Their web site says the same.

So, who is buying Knit Wits? Anyone know?

Swag

2007-03-23T06:17:00.000-05:00

Once again, while surrounded by yarn and yarny things, I showed much restraint. I didn't buy frivolously. In fact, two skeins of koigu that I was drooling over escaped me. The lady buying them assured me they were going to a good home. She wore beautiful sweaters each day of Knittapalooza, so I am certain she can be believed.

I bought Hot Knits by Melissa Leapman.
Several of the Wednesday night knitters are talking about a knit-along for the shapely, cabled Audrey sweater. I love it, and it is knit in a bulky weight yarn, with only 4 cables total. After Starlight, I'm going to need a little IG (instant gratification).

I have started the sleeves on Starlight. No photos, because it needs to be on a body to show up. I'm home alone today, and though I can emulate the MySpace at arm's length photos, I just can't seem to get the sweater to show up that well. And as that is the point....

Now, on the Noni bag, I need to sew in the zip right? I am teaching the class in a few weeks, and it would be good to have it on display. Right? Why, oh why am I procrastinating then? Could it be because it is soooooooo much easier to take the zipper to Stacey and have her zap it together for me? Can I just tell my students to do that too? ;)

*Sigh* I guess I'll do it today, grumble, grumble, grumble. You know that takes away from my knitting time. And tonight I am roadie mom again. Jeremiah and the other Couch Jumpers are playing at Relative Theory. Tonight I am bringing my class socks.

Joanne is teaching, not just any old sock class, but toe-up, turkish cast on, magic loop, two socks at one time. Whew!

You can see I just turned the heel on my first sock, and before I act as roadie mom, I plan to turn the other heel. I need concentration for that effort. Once the heel is completed, it is two calfs' worth of mindless knitting...and I'm done. But first I must sew in a zipper...

KnittaPalooza 2007

2007-03-20T15:15:00.000-05:00

Today is Tuesday; two days after the end of Knittapalooza 2007, and I am still recuperating from the weekend... and I still haven't come up with a good way to tell you about the event. I attended my first Knittapalooza, two years ago, where I took a couple of classes with Lily Chin. She taught reversible cable patterns. The classes were great, and I was hooked on Knittapalooza.

Last year, I didn't even consider doing just one day, I signed up for the entire weekend, and my husband gifted me with the event for Christmas/b-day. Lucy Neatby, Lyn Worley, and Virginia's own, Edie Eckman and Linda Fraille taught classes. Linda is a local spinner who is also a member of TKGV. I learned a cool bind off from Lucy, Lyn discussed short row shaping along with talks about color choices, and I learned that I found drop spindle spinning cumbersome from Linda Fraille. The wheel was magical from the first time I touched it.

This year, Sally Melville, Judy Pascale, Cindy Taylor, and Natalie Wilson taught. I took several classes and sat in on two "lectures" with Sally. She was a fabulous teacher and a joy to be around. At dinner on both Fri. and Sat. night, she joined a group of us, and we talked knitting (DUH!), creative children, Canada, and the wonderful weather on her arrival (that quickly deteriorated to pouring rain and cold temps the second day.)

I was surrounded all weekend by fabulous knitters. I wish I had taken more photos of the sweaters people were wearing and the knitting in almost every lap. Too cool for lengthy descriptions...only photos would do them justice! I already placed a deposit on next year's fun... Melissa Leapman, Anne Modesitt, and
Margaret Fisher. I am greatly looking forward to the classes.

OK. I know this is what most of you, especially Vickie are waiting for: photos

Sally Melville and I.

Judy Pascale showing us how to easily block our beaded shawls.

Mary Jo working on our toe-up, magic loop socks. Both of us are behind for our Wed. night class... knit, knit, knit.

Peggie in her beautiful entrelac Noro sweater.

Terry (AKA the Temptress)

And if that wasn't enough, there were oodles and oodles of door prizes. I could almost swear everyone went home with something! Look what Barb won.
Barb has so much yarn she keeps A LOT of it in a heated and air conditioned storage unit! We tried to convince her that she didn't need 7 additional skeins of Purled Llama yarns, but she merely ignored us! But she did allow a photo. Note her beautiful Norwegian. She teaches a Norwegian class for The Knitting Corner. Susan, the owner also attended Knittapalooza and took classes with Sally.

I'll show you my swag by the end of the week.

Prism bag

2007-03-15T14:54:00.001-05:00

Here's a Noni bag, the small prism.

It is supposed to be solid colors, but I had 2 different dye lots of Cascade's red. Once felted, I figured it wouldn't make that much difference, but I ran a couple of rows of navy blue through the center to make sure.

Though it is as cute as all get out, I don't love it. It is the EXACT height, depth, and length expected with only one heavy-duty, hot wash in my trusty Kenmore. I'd heard of other people having problem shrinking these bags down to size.

Even with the correct size according to the pattern, I still don't love it because it is too long. Maybe it would make a nice needle holder if I used straights. At 18" long, 5" high, and 5" deep, it is way too long and skinny for me.

Is it sacrilege to modify Noni patterns? I feel some changes coming on for this little cutie. To think I almost made the bigger bag... read longer and almost as skinny!!! I want it shorter in length and longer from top to bottom. Once I finish Starlight, or OK.... I know myself, BEFORE I finish Starlight, I'm going to want to ~~fix~~ modify this baby. I have some nice Cascade in navy blue and turquoise. I'm thinking the patterned bag... my way.

Total knitting weekend

2007-03-15T13:39:00.000-05:00

This weekend, I'm going to knitapalooza.

I have classes with Sally Melville, Cindy Taylor, and Judy Pascale.

I cannot believe Sally Melville doesn't have her own website. Maybe I am overlooking something.

Cindy Taylor of these lovely stockings

and this jacket

apparently doesn't have one either.

Maybe they are too busy knitting. If they were in my shoes, they would have Starlight finished, not to here:

Busy, busy, busy

2007-03-13T19:55:00.001-05:00

I should have completed much knitting while on spring break. I didn't. I cleaned house UGH! visited the doctor... real shoes are now allowed, and had the taxes done. We may owe!!!! Let me tell you, it is shocking! I cannot believe that 2 teachers generate enough money to owe the IRS. Come on.... we don't live the luxe life... though I do buy luxe yarn.

Anyway, I also played Roadie Mom. Bragging ahead:

My favorite son.... So serious.

Taken from the 2nd floor at the Norva.

And after their show, Jeremiah hung out with some knitters. Check out 2 of TKGV's young knitters. Jeremiah and Laurel.

The Couch Jumpers with my niece Meagan and Maggie, who also knits,

We had a great time. The band sounded great; their timing was right on. Too cool.

2007-03-06T18:47:00.000-05:00

Guess what I worked on while traveling to and from NYC?

I chose Starlight, and it is getting there.

While in NYC, we made it to School Products.

I showed remarkable restraint.

That is it! I am on a blue streak, and these yarns met my wish list. The bottom is silk, the top, bright blue is lace-weight cashmere, and the middle two are cashmere silk blend. They feel great.

upward growth on Starlight

2007-03-01T21:20:00.000-05:00

This has been a hectic week. Meetings, meetings, meetings. And none in which I could knit. This makes me cranky!

But tomorrow, I'm going out of town to NYC, and my sister is driving half the time. Yep! Knitting time. It's just a weekend trip, but Peggie suggested I visit School Products.... and there should be killer deals. :) I am bringing extra $$ for the visit.

TS wants to visit CBGBs. It is right on the way, and I could give my props to the Ramones. We'll see. My sister and niece are not as "into" punk rock... and none of them are as "into" yarn. *Sigh*

I've made a bit more progress on Starlight, but I want it done NOW!

Now, what knitting should I pack? I think Starlight is not portable enough. So maybe this?

Or this?
Or this?
Or this?

IK

2007-02-26T17:01:00.000-05:00

Ever since I saw this spring's IK I have been joking with Bobbie, owner of Ewe Knit Kits and Yarns, that I should teach a class on the bra and thong... scroll down.

I love the description of the crochet trim as "underwire". For me, that little bit of decoration would do nothing to provide supportive underpinnings.

It certainly wouldn't take much time...or yarn.

2007-02-25T11:16:00.000-05:00

Knit weekend

I am continuing up the slope and neck/shoulders of Starlight, but really, it still looks no different than before. :(

I finished the Guild Vest and wore it to work last week. It looks better on than in the photos displaying it on the chair. I'll have to get TS to take my photo.

The booga bag is also finished...soon to be felted. And I saw another movie, Because I Said So, so the scarf is almost finished too. I know; I know...had I worked on Starlight INSTEAD of these items, I could have another inch or two of not very visible progress.

Yesterday, I took a class with Martha Marques. Her sweater that can be scaled up for any size, from doll to adult, is cute as can be.

Today, I am meeting some people who are knitting the Guild Vest at a local Barnes and Noble. We are going to check the math...

Not so secret info. about me: I don’t enjoy math. Can I do it? Yes...but I have to go slowly...think carefully...eliminate auditory distractions...you get the idea. I look like the village idiot while I am doing it. UGH! And to subjugate myself to doing MATH in public, with several guild members waiting for me...PRESSURE.

To alleviate my stress, and give me a reward, in advance, for this arduous task (OK… it is simple math...the aforementioned IN PUBLIC is what makes it arduous), I am going to Ann Taylor Loft FIRST. Yes, I am getting/giving my reward before I complete the task. Tee hee.

Tonight I go to a fundraiser ceili for the dancers going the Oireachtas from the An Cor Rud, the company with whom my niece dances. Here are a couple of photos.

Can you believe I donated knitted items (hat and purse) for the fundraiser?

Fitted Knits

2007-02-19T19:19:00.000-05:00

Have you seen Fitted Knits?

I found it the other day and snapped it up immediately. There are some very cool patterns in this book... all top down!!!! which means, check your fit as you go.

The author, Stephanie Japel, also has a beautiful sweater in the Spring IK.

Grumperina and Eunny Jang have sock patterns in the same issue. So, while I'll pass on the bras... (crochet underwire... tee hee... I think I need a bit, OK well A LOT more support that this yarn confection) I see some socks in my future... and at least one of Stephanie's beautiful fitted pieces...

The Walker Treasury

2007-02-18T20:10:00.000-05:00

Have you seen The Walker Treasury Project site? The books are fabulous, but these large, color, updated swatches are pure online inspiration.

The page includes buttons to add to your blog, a list of reversible patterns, a book by book and chapter by chapter break down of photos/swatches, and instructions to knit and photograph your own swatches. This is an excellent resource.

Maybe our illustrious President can entice our Guild into creating and adding swatches to the site.

Totally Non-Knitting Post

2007-02-17T13:37:00.000-05:00

Great Big Sea will be playing at Attuck's Theater, in Norfolk, VA on April 16th!!! WHoooo Hooooo. I already have tickets. My son, sisters, niece, and some friends are going. I think we'll stalk the band and beg autographs and photos just like we did last year when they played at GWU in DC.

This year I won't buy a black t-shirt (autographs don't show unless one remembers to bring silver sharpies)!!!! and I will bring my own sharpies. ;) The band members were very kind and signed our tickets and other items.

Would it be VERY wrong to allow the teenagers to skip their morning H.S. classes? What about me... can I stay out late and skip my 8:00 class? ;)

This Newfoundland trio have several CDs and are VERY popular in Canada. Check out their music... My favorite CDs are UP and Play.

Cheating?

2007-02-17T13:30:00.000-05:00

Would working on a project that I started before Starlight be considered cheating?

I really don’t think these count as cheating at all:

I finished (except for all the weaving of loose strands) the Guild Vest.

I semi-finished a Norwegian style sweater that I started last year...
and left sitting in a knitting basket for about 11 months. Technically, Starlight constitutes cheating on this sweater. Now it just needs the front bands, buttons, and ...once again...weaving.

Strictly speaking, can these really be considered cheating? After all, they did come before Starlight.

Ahem...then there is this little number.

But here’s a good reason: I went to a movie, and Starlight doesn’t lend itself well to movie knitting. (BTW Music and Lyrics was a thoroughly enjoyable movie. I wish Kristen Johnston had a bigger role...I loved her in 3rd Rock from the Sun).

And then there’s this:

which will be a booga bag…or something close to a booga bag. This one, I admit, is CHEATING. But I need some instant gratification.

Here’s where I am on Starlight...

Honestly, this barely discernible lengthening represents hours of work, and there is very little difference from the last set of photos...SIGH! So, I shall...knit on...

My youngest sister was just here... and she said Starlight looked....square... or blocky! AAAACK. Just last month, I ripped out the Einstein jacket because it looked Sponge Bobish on me! I have curves; this is stretchy. Starlight will be fine. RIGHT?!?!?

2007-02-10T16:29:00.000-05:00

Feb. 10
On Wed. evening, I stopped by Ewe Knits for a little knitting.

See this woman?

I call her the Temptress. Before I sat down, she said, “Maureen go look at the yarn on the table under the window.” Like a hound following a scent, I tracked this absolutely fabulous yarn.

I love it. It feels great, the colors are great… I WANT it. But I just bought silk...and I am knitting from my stash unless there is a killer deal.

WAH! I still want it.

But Tilli Tomas isn’t likely to go out of business before I finish knitting from my stash, is she?

Starlight

2007-02-09T08:03:00.000-05:00

What a busy week this has been!
Starlight is growing, but not as quickly as I’d like.

The back shown below, is the truest color...at least on my monitor.

I keep worrying that it will be too tight. Doesn’t it look small...well I am making the small, but you know what I mean? I even swatched...both stockinette stitch and a whopping 6” of the cabling because 4” of it didn’t give me enough of an idea how it would work up. It looks great, and I am still getting gauge, yet...I don’t want it clinging to me. I keep telling myself to trust the gauge...and remember the miracles of blocking, but the overall dimensions are tormenting me.

Reminder to me: there are many ways of fixing this little problem that totally avoid ripping, aren’t there? ;)

Ultimate Blog Party

2007-02-04T17:30:00.001-05:00

Shall we? All you lurkers and those of you leaving comments, let's do it.

I guess you now know, I have yet to figure out how to post buttons. *sigh*

Swag

2007-02-04T14:03:00.000-05:00

Swag

It is 1:50, and I’m home from the Super Ball Sales. Here’s the swag purchased at Ewe Knit Kits and Yarns:

Most of it is Punch, an alpaca blend purchased at get this... 70% off because I bought more than 10 skeins. I'd call that a killer deal.

An then there is this: Purled Llama silk that I have been coveting for over a year.

Yes, my friends, it was a killer deal, but I still spent my yarn allowance for the sales. The silk will be a tank shirt some time in the future...

Here’s the swag from the Hook and I. My sister bought the yarn, but I'll knit the sweater... so this doesn't even count against me. It is Cascade’s Sierra Quatro. Youngest sis is having surgery on her jaw and mouth, so her mouth will be wired/banded shut for about 6 weeks...this means she’ll lose about 50 lbs. She wants me to wait until she loses the weight. Makes sense to me...and it gives me much more time to knit my stuff. ;)

Super Ball Sunday

2007-02-03T16:45:00.000-05:00

Today I went to the TKGV's winter annual Knit-In for Charity. There were about 18 of us there... but I forgot my camera!

Did you know that our LYSs (Yes... we have 5 fine yarn stores here in VB... check out the links) can't call tomorrow's yarn sales Super Bowl Sales? Some call them Super Sunday Sales... but today a guild member and fiber artist Martha M. suggested Super Ball Sale. Apropos or what?

Anyway, tomorrow will be another yarn related day.... Two in a row! I am wallering in it! (Wallering is far, far worse than wallowing... wallering brings up images of pigs and mud; whereas, wallowing brings up images of petite maidens pining away because of unrequited love).

Even though I am trying going to participate in Knit from Your Stash 2007, I have to visit at least one, or two, or three of the LYSs ....

Come on, I could be a lucky winner, or score some excellent swag... like cashmere at a fabulous price... OR this will be my exception to the rule... Purchasing yarn at killer prices is permitted. :) I have enough sock yarn to knit a year's worth anyway.

Second Annual Brigid in Cyberspace Poetry Reading

2007-02-02T22:20:00.000-05:00

Bummer.

I must have placed Tom William's book faceOFF in a nice safe place. The title poem is one of my all time favorites. It is witty, yet has bite... but it still shows his love for his daughters. Cool stuff. I think my signed copy is in the room where my husband is sleeping... think he'd mind me flicking on the light and digging through the bookshelves?

Yeah... he probably would.

But Tom's newest book, Bombing the House of God is online.... so, I can still post one of his poems.

god as we unserstood him
too many commandments,
"thou shalt nots." don't get it
right the first time, you only

suffer. questions?
don't ask, don't tell.
that's our story, and we're sticking to it.

that's how you find
damnation, how things become
interesting in hell.

who wouldn't kill a boy
hitler, given the right time, the right
knowledge? there can be too much

organization. give me
someone who accepts
any crime commited

to avoid a greater evil, give me
an idol, an old testament
jove, chaotic and insecure.

Want to see another? Check out: Poetry Southeast.

Go check him out at All Nations Press.

Mittens

2007-02-02T08:51:00.000-05:00

Have you seen the mittens of Rovaniemi yet? WOW!

My first thought was, “Not for me.” Then I read Stephanie’s description: “mittens, knit in several colours in the round, in intarsia, only continuing in the round (never turning back to purl), without carrying any colour at any time (with the exception of the base colour) and without ever twisting them together.”

ooooooooo! Intarsia in the round... now that sounds interesting...

One of the main reasons I don’t like intarsia, is that it doesn’t easily lend itself to knitting in the round, my favorite way to knit. And there’s an added benefit with these mittens; even though it looks like Fair Isle, there's no twisting... I don’t mind twisting the yarns for Fair Isle, but it does take longer.

So, of course, I became excited and intrigued…

Until I saw Susanna Hansson’s photo (third photo down). I am still laughing. Had I been the knitter, that nice neat set of spooled yarns would quickly become a giant, snarled knot. Even though Susanna lives in Seattle, she still had to pack this knitting for travel to the Madrona Fiber Arts Winter Retreat in Tacoma.

One question: How long did it take her to untangle those balls?!!! Maybe I am projecting, and just thinking of what the spools would look like had they traveled with me.

That said, I am really curious. How is this technique done? I wonder if TKGV would consider this as a class...or am I the only nut willing to work through tangles to learn a complicated technique to create an item that wouldn’t have much use in Virginia?

Not much growth on Starlight... teaching and grading interfered!

growing

2007-01-30T20:58:00.000-05:00

Starlight is growing, growing, growing.

I love Virginia Beach winter weather

2007-01-27T16:46:00.000-05:00

Today I spoke briefly with my aunt, uncle, and a cousin in Southern Harbour, Newfoundland.

They had been hit by a huge snow storm and were snowed in. My cousin's husband was supposed to arrive last night, but he couldn't even make it all the way there because of the road conditions.

I have no photos yet, but here are two from a storm in Bonavista a few years ago.

Notice the iced over fence rails! Brrrrrr!

Now, here's what I see in my front yard:

And today's winter temperatures reached 62F or 16.666C. I'll take that any Jan. 27th. I love Virginia Beach winter weather.

Don't get me wrong, I love Newfoundland, and can't wait to go home this summer, but right now, I plan to enjoy what the folks in VB call winter.

starlight

2007-01-26T19:31:00.000-05:00

I thought I had somehow managed to change my password and was locked out of the blog for the last few days.
Nooooooo... Apparently, even though I signed up for the new Google blogger, my account was hit by the change over. It took me a week to figure this out!!! Like I said, I am new to this blogging stuff… but DUH!

Now that I’m back, I have what might not look like much, but let me tell you, this is much progress on Starlight. Check this out:

Here's a close-up

I know you can’t tell, but I’m soon to start the waist shaping. Sami says she’s at the sleeve attaching stage. I can’t wait to see it.

I love Starlight...but I don’t think I’ll be monogamous. It is going to take a while, and knowing my “get something finished” mentality, I suspect I’ll need a few quick knits to play with as I go. I’m thinking some Christmas ornaments a la Two Old Bags.

I know, I know… I am just impressing you to no end with my planning… The fact that I can finish one in a half hour is part of the attraction. Maybe I’ll do a few booga bags with these yarns:

I've finished the body of the Guild Sampler Knit Along Vest. But I'll wait until the next meeting to add the bottom band and do the finishing.

Teenage son has a “gig” tomorrow night. The bassist for the band has “exotic” hives and there was some fear they wouldn’t be able to play, but he’s a trooper. So The Couch Jumpers will try to beat out 11 other bands tomorrow night. Maybe exotic hives will give them the edge.

2007-01-16T16:17:00.002-05:00

Guess what this is? ,

Well it used to be the Einstein body and upper parts. But then I tried it on... and I looked like a short square person… think Sponge Bob.... only I was blue/green not yellow.

What was I thinking?!?! I knew I wouldn’t like the fit of the Einstein, but NOOOOO, I had to give in to peer pressure.... Well OK. They didn’t really pressure me at all, so I guess it was peer envy. I fell under the spell of the lushly thick alpaca boucle Einsteins’ the Wed. night knitters were creating. Yarn fumes, as the Yarnharlot would say, took over my better judgment. So, even though the Einstein was about 3/4 of the way finished, I knew I wouldn't wear it. So, I ...r-r-r-r-r-i-i-i-i-p-p-p-p-ped.. Man, that was a lot of ripping!

I decided to use the yarn on the more fitted shawl collar cardigan from Adrienne Vittadini.

So now, I have started Starlight. The yarn, Rowan’s Silk Wool DK is marvelous to work with. Yeah! Freud would say, I intentionally made the garment blocky to get to the scrumptious Starlight. Who knows the mind of the inner knitter?

I also finished the body of the Guild's Knit-a-long sampler vest. I’ll post photos of these once I get a little of the work visible on Starlight. So far, I've only cast on and knit the garter stitch band for the fronts and back.

Jan. 12

2007-01-12T09:39:00.000-05:00

The lace-wing socks are calling to me.
Cascade Fixation, easy lace, and shortie socks. Three of my favorite things all together...and I have dozens of Fixation in my stash.

The lace-wing socks are calling, even though I am working on the WIPs below:

the bottom of the Einstein ,

the Guild Knit Along sampler

a car sock for TS

and I’m lusting after Starlight.

Returning to teaching this week really cut into my knitting time! Today’s mantra is KNIT FASTER, KNIT FASTER.

I’m really liking the sock for TS. He’s into ska music and because ska and checks go together, he asked me to design and knit them for him. Check out that heel! I think I’ll call them ska sock when I’m finished. Then lace-wing becomes the new car sock.

***
I get to play roadie tomorrow night. The Couch Jumpers, (TS’ band) will be playing at a local karate studio. I’m bringing my knitting. I certainly won’t be jumping up and down, or skanking

[English prof. aside: I wonder if this is the correct form of the word…. Or is it doing the skank?]. Anyway...I'm wearing an air cast on my left foot, so no skanking for me.

Jan. 11

2007-01-11T14:32:00.000-05:00

Last night I visited Ewe Knit Kits and Yarns for knitting night. All the regulars were there… well Dona was there, but she was in the back learning how to knit two socks at the same time, on one circular needle! Two of us worked on our Einstein jackets. That is the new knitting I just had to join. Peer pressure is such a bear! Last Wed. when I attended the knitting night, everyone was just starting hers or just finishing the body. Mary Jo started hers that night, so, of course, I caved to the pressure and bought the alpaca boucle the next day. By Sat, I was well along.

Now I am back to the body being only about one quarter finished. I had to rip out!

I blame it all on Sideways. I zipped through the entire body on Sunday night, only to find I had lost track of the gauge. The fabric was way too flabby, not at all dense like I wanted it. Before I could reconsider frogging, and just do the usual: fudge it, I ripped. After all, Sally Melville is coming to Ewe Knit Kits and Yarns’ KnitaPalooza 2007. I don’t want her seeing a flabby or a fudged Einstein. Sigh.

Why, oh why didn’t I pay more attention? I DO know better. But…I want to finish the Einstien FAST. Because I saw The Starlight sweater from Rowan's Classic Style at Ewe Knit Kits and Yarns. And I WANT it NOW!! This entire book is filled with great patterns. I can’t wait to get started.

2007-01-05T09:03:00.000-05:00

I am supposed to be working on the website that supports my teaching, but the website is unavailable. So...having a little time on my hands, I read the Yarn Harlot’s most recent post. She’s going to speak to the Kitchener Waterloo Knitter’s Guild. My mind wandered... and wondered. Kitchener-Waterloo reminded me of Grumperina’s grafting skills, which led to wondering why grafting is called Kitchener stitch.

Because I am originally from Newfoundland, Canada, and I have family in Toronto, I knew about Kitchener-Waterloo, the “twin cities,” and I knew Kitchener was some British military guy, but that was it. How did grafting become associated with this “British military guy?” Ah… how my mind wanders… or allows me to stay away from cleaning and other sundry chores.

An ask.com search and few mouse clicks taught me that I am not the only person who pondered this question.

Of course, as I was on the site, I had to look around. A quick skim of the reference category has enticed me to add this link to my blog visiting list.

In personal knitting news, I continue on my Guild knit along, the Blues Band Guild Vest, also known as the Sampler Guild Vest. After taking the photo, I see two, big, honking mistakes! I think I’ll just fudge them instead of frogging. Yesterday, because I fell victim to peer pressure/envy, I started yet another project. More about that one later.

2007-01-04T15:44:00.000-05:00

Jan. 4, 2006

About two weeks ago, I dug through my closet to find my gray cashmere (store-bought) t-shirt. I found it, wore it, but I didn’t notice this until I was just getting ready to wash it.

ARGH!!!! I know what this means…. Bugs! I’ve been fighting (not winning the battle against) an invasive backdoor Trojan on the computer… and now this!!! Those of you who know me, may be acquainted with my sizable stash. These holes mean I have to go through, not only my closets but the entire stash hunting for the critters that chewed on my knitwear. I really had other plans for this week….and month. Death to all bugs!

The sweater has languished on the washer while I tried to decide what to do about it. Today I found this on grumperina's latest post. Check out the Jan. 3 post. As there are two holes though, I wonder if it is worth it? I can imagine myself ever so carefully cutting, kitchener stitching, hand washing, and wearing it again to find new holes. That would really...well, bug me.

link for kitchener stitch

silk/alpaca scarf my design

2007-01-02T12:53:00.001-05:00

TS returned from school and fixed me up with photos.

scarf 1

2007-01-02T11:25:00.000-05:00

2007-01-02T10:58:00.000-05:00

Welcome to my New Year’s resolution blog. My goal is to post twice a week about knitting, yarn, knitting, stash, knitting, and more knitting.

While I know what I am doing when knitting, blogging is totally new to me. I do not know what I am doing, so this should be interesting.

I’m trying to figure out how to add links in an organized manner and how to upload photos. Maybe I’ll just wait until teenage son (TS) returns from school and can do it for me.

Beware bragging below:

Speaking of TS, he’s a member of a band called the Couch Jumpers. They’ll be playing in Battle of the Bands competitions at Cape Henry Collegiate and at the Peppermint Beach Club, in VB, on March 2, 2007.

I frequently listen to the Couch Jumpers because they practice four houses up the street at the bass player’s house and record at my house and at the bass player’s. The Couch Jumpers do a few covers, but most of their music is their own. Pretty impressive! I’ve linked to them at the right…. you too can visit myspace and listen in once they finish recording. Until then, here's a song by TS. It's similar to the Couch Jumper's music.