Knit & Nosh

two things

I learned two things today. #1, that I still do not like tomatoes, and #2, that I am willing to eat them when I grow them myself. 

no camera, but links galore

While I am waiting for the camera to return from its backpacking adventure, here are links to what I am waiting to receive or cast on.

Have you seen Ulmus?  Of course I have to purchase the yarn, but you probably have something suitable in your stash.  Look at all the color combinations on the Ravelry project page.  I MUST knit one of my own.  What do you think of Turner and Chocolate Amargo?

Today a sock kit should be on its way to me.  This is one from Woolgirl’s Peanuts line, Happiness is...  Because I already belong to Woolgirl’s regular sock and lace clubs I try to refrain from any special kit purchases.  I resisted this one for a long time and then finally gave in.  The kit contains yarn (sportweight I think), a pattern, project bag, stitch marker and other goodies.  Opening her boxes is like receiving a birthday present when its not your birthday.

Speaking of Woolgirl’s special boxes, July’sEmbrace The Lace (Rav link) club shipment is also scheduled to ship this week.  I have no idea what to expect, other than a squeal of delight after I open the wrapping.

Because I am a Crazy Knitter I joined not one, but two lace clubs this year.  In addition to Embrace the Lace I also receive packages from Shakespeare in Lace (more Rav).  Yesterday I learned that Anne Hanson designed the next project which is based on Burnham Wood ( Macbeth ).  Lace, how I love thee.

In case you are wondering, if offered, I plan to join both these lace clubs again.

yeah!

I just found my winter holiday gift knit.  Finding perfect buttons will be half the fun.

something strange in the neighborhood

While it is true the entire neighborhood is not as affected as I am with the current state of things, at some point this weekend they will realize that it is awfully quiet at "Casa de la Where Did All These Peple Come From".  Oldest Daughter is still recovering from surgery and I am doing my best to take good care of her.  The rest of the household is off backpacking for 4 days.

Yes, 4 days.  This has never happened before.  A number of times the biggest members of the family have taken off and left me and the little people here at home.  That scenario does not alter my days very much.  But this feels darn strange.  It has never been this quiet in the house, ever.  This afternoon the world felt off kilter as I realized there was nothing that needed to be done as soon as I finished the current thing that needed to be done. 

Today, I did laundry, baked bread, worked a jigsaw puzzle, and watched a whole movie. I also knit and finished a book.  Reading a book.  I did some writing and some book knitting.  All in one day.  If I had this much spare time every single day, I could rule the world.  Totally.

do you want to be a sock star?

I have printed out the entry form and posted it next to my desk.

http://www.berroco.com/webimage_library/beta/knitbits_300/entryForm.html

...cascading rivulets.... (name the reference and I will send you a skein of sock yarn!)

personal best

Wow, what a ride.  6 days from cast on to blocking.  Here is Ishbel #2.

 

The yarn is Blue Moon Fiber Arts, Socks That Rock medium weight, Bella Coola.  I had one full skein (380 yards) and a 1/3rdish of a leftover skein.  I cast on with a size 6 needle.  In hindsight a size 8 would probably have worked just fine, but I like the solid fabric created with the 6. 

The pattern is written in two sizes, small and large.  For this Ishbel  I knit the solid portion in the large size and then switched to the small lace repeats.  It is possible I would have had enough yarn to work the large pattern entirely, but it would have close and I do not need that kind of stress.

My first Ishbel is a very different knit.  That scarf is light and airy and elegant.  This new Ishbel  is not.  This new Ishbel is heavy and dense and the colorway  obscures the lace pattern.  This shawl is all about color, not texture.  I know exactly what I will wear under the shawl and the combination is perfect.

If you are new to lace knitting I suggest you give Ishbel  a try.  First you get to work a plain stockinette while learning to remember simple increases.  About the time you are sick of knitting simple stockinette you get to play with lace.  Simple lace, nothing scary going on here.  What makes this pattern so friendly are the sk2ppso.  The slip one stitch, knit two stitches together, pass the slipped stitch over, is big and easy to spot.  Because it is easy to spot, it is easy to drop your knitting and pick it up later.  You are able to line everything up, row after row.

I proclaim this to be the perfect hospital knitting pattern.  Solid portion through surgery.  Lace while back in the room.  As soon as the patient needs something, just drop the knitting to the floor.  Once the patient is drugged/asleep it is easy to figure out where you left off with the lace chart and begin again.

oh, seattle

Seattle is like a shy child.  She takes a bit to warm up to you.  All the while watching from a safe distance and waiting to see what you will do.  Seattle does not like to participate so much as watch from the sidelines.  While watching she will pass judgment on whether you are being environmentally friendly and politically correct.  If she deems you to be acceptable, she may join in your fun.

bird by bird

I finished reading Bird By Bird by Anne Lamott a few days ago.  What a wonderful book.  In addition to being a best selling author, Anne teaches creative writing.  She has an endless supply of students, each of whom resemble us all.  The generosity of her writing is striking.  I would be horrified to acknowledge many of my past tribulations, she hangs hers out in the open so that we may not feel alone in our insecurities . There is an entire chapter about jealousy, and so many memorable lines that I will need to read the book again with a highlighter at the ready.  A book that every writer should enjoy reading.  Go, read.

After you have finished reading, hit the play button on Stranger Than Fiction.  I am so out of the loop that I have no idea if this was a hit movie.  I also have no idea how I stumbled across the title.  First I rented it from Netflix, then I purchased a copy.  It is a favorite movie that I love even more having read Bird By Bird. 

Do you have any recommendations?

ever optimistic

I feel optimistic that today will be a turning point for Oldest Daughter.  Maybe today she will be able to swallow some nutrition and I will be able to get my feet back under me.  It has been a dizzying 3 days.

I have not knit a single stitch since returning home from the hospital, but while I was there I was quite productive.

This is the large sized Ishbel.  I was able to finish the entire solid portion and begin the lace charts.  That is some power knitting!

A friend told me to be careful because your waiting room gauge is often tighter than normal.  I made a point of relaxing the yarn when waiting for a surgery update.  Where I ran into trouble was back in Oldest Daughter’s room.  That part was WAY more stressful and even when I tried to loosen up, it did not work well.  Its OK, its lace, all will be fine.

Youngest Daughter was amazed that I was able to make so much progress on Ishbel in such a short time.  I explained that not only was I knitting, but that I finished a book.  She asked if I had finished writing one or reading one.  This made me laugh.  I love that she asked!

As you can imagine, my Tour De Fleece (Rav link) spinning has screeched to a halt.  I may be able to get back to it tomorrow.  Even with my medical time out I feel confident that I will be able to finish the fiber in my queue.

its show time

Oldest Daughter has packed her hospital bag and I have packed mine.  Her bag contains warm socks and things to occupy her after the surgery.  We expect she will be too drugged up to do any of them, but just in case.

My bag contains a book and the sections of the New York Times that I did not read today.  A Moleskineand sharp pencils, should inspiration strike.  Lunch, lots of bubble water and two knitting projects.  I can feel the waiting room quake with my preparedness

For knitting I settled on an Ishbel, this one I will be keeping, and Spiralucious.  This will be my third Spiralucious and it is meant to be a gift.

I have no idea what tomorrow will bring.  Really all of next week is a big question mark.  Nothing like a bit of uncertainty to keep you on your toes.