tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19807180970146212742024-03-12T21:48:58.980-04:00Mychawd: The Knitting SAMuraiOn a narrow-minded world filled with images of knitting grandmas with cats, who is left to take up sticks and string, and take pedigree cats to the show halls? It is I, Mychawd The Knitting SAMurai who doubles as a Devon Rex handler in the Cat Show ring. Ahhh c'mon, are you really still trying to take me seriously? Yes, my life is a little like the movie Dog Show…only with crazy cat people and knitters. It's nothing if not entertaining!Mychawdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16666394132954799393noreply@blogger.comBlogger414125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1980718097014621274.post-77932168586649071992011-05-09T21:12:00.006-04:002011-05-09T21:28:04.687-04:00Flowers from Boyfriend and Baby<div><br /><div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604889331113251570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiehkGPxmooj2dMPzvghY27Ih7Myf6RywEDGzKmZF_KDtHCndvzRIqVFhtf1pXnTWVMwno7wKLawk3LVbhatAEKtwG-qsThE5Qs7dIe5Yjr5PQNyCaYTWdpZ_VVF5vD_ivAhb7xc9DQRrlz/s320/004.JPG" /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604890064482893922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdLh_sgrRWarTQilXU-LRPVxRiAhXcDre4-g6X3NHXc_iWNosRSGlwh6_o4ac9jGYY_xQLQ3-E0if55RJA6PInrW_KqaQ0zs6WWJQx8LNoc5GOJHDh18rCSRblAdOUF2ekQCZKyyA6CfYA/s320/005.JPG" /> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604891139154658882" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQmIRncjQ6yq0F8Oa9ua6ZWvWVQC3JrY_K7F0CaEirMteWWnmHqSoIvyydrcuf0M50UiYLSAFJ1qtDHwMX_bIsSls-QjjobwfAQQUX3dfB0utLnAW04roZyfRmTHnaAhxe6VjrD98ZaEAI/s320/006.JPG" /> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604891475611287330" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKsDMjoTng7kos0jjkNtyPFI0lTFYHEG0oxT4RKxJufY9DYCDKL3j8LktmD6Et92yAwJjwd6MR1FkSnOAsjwyTsxPgVUSBMak_GIhUpO6iBGsrrsdRQEjViEufGF-zUvqZmt9X-ybJ3DfJ/s320/008.JPG" /></div></div></div>Mychawdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16666394132954799393noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1980718097014621274.post-16903168923828209252011-05-07T05:44:00.001-04:002011-05-07T05:46:48.272-04:00Linus Loves His Bag<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPKgfCp0lhg-tzlCfX7BcB-laoeV_dCHvEXdI9nXOgB6B5aOkpxR1gnrq_zd-BOXgXzA1IJJJxin5plyFSHew4W0zcF0nF06G6eKr90TjAix1nJzQbL6YDarP3-BgofYH7EPNLYBdjltxK/s1600/Linus++%25283%2529.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 308px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603908229764263570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPKgfCp0lhg-tzlCfX7BcB-laoeV_dCHvEXdI9nXOgB6B5aOkpxR1gnrq_zd-BOXgXzA1IJJJxin5plyFSHew4W0zcF0nF06G6eKr90TjAix1nJzQbL6YDarP3-BgofYH7EPNLYBdjltxK/s400/Linus++%25283%2529.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2cdJ7Gf9oIC5gbo2kc5wX1NPWnZUJBRGJ50y4B2kIpoY99UIphgcOS7tkorWGp5XBP6Cm-P3QABcf8_1IeI-5HCKfXtxROCfOoNC0NWAuPVqakUj1HxbaAQ1NYWLtqp_glYLLhu6Fcwh0/s1600/Linus++%25283%2529.JPG"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div>Mychawdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16666394132954799393noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1980718097014621274.post-62099810720480202242011-04-26T08:05:00.002-04:002011-04-26T08:08:01.437-04:00The Woman In White<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><a name="_MailAutoSig"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">Last night I finished <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">The Woman in White</i> by Wilkie Collins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It had been recommended by Dr. Gemma on the CogKnitive Podcast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>She compared it to Charles Dickens and I must say that is a true comparison.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>For the past week I’ve been transported to 1850s English countryside where I was completely absorbed by the gothic romance style of writing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Like Dicken’s the plot is somewhat improbable but I was able to look beyond that and enjoy the story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Very rich character development and several mysteries run through the piece moving along the plot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I can’t say enough good things about this book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I will mention that the first few chapters are a bore but like the introduction to a new world and people there are some clichés that must be undertaken.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Once familiar with all the players the story takes off and is an instant classic in my mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It reminded me of both Dracula and Tale of Two Cities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>So if you enjoy either of these works, give it a shot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></span></a></p><br /><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _MailAutoSig"><o:p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></o:p></span></p><br /><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark: _MailAutoSig"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">Next up, something completely different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The book I would consider the greatest Science Fiction novel of all time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Dune</i> by Frank Herbert.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I read this in college at my father’s suggestion and thoroughly enjoyed it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Being some 10 years past it seemed like the right time to revisit it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The Boyfriend has been reading <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">The Hitchhiker’s Guide to The Galaxy </i>by Douglas Adams to the baby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He considers this the best piece of Science Fiction ever written which I find somewhat humorous knowing that he’s never read anything in that genera and only rarely watches Star Trek.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I do not give him much in the way of Sci-Fi Geek Cred.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He wouldn’t even watch Battlestar Galactica with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Of course I’m not complaining having never read the book myself but seriously enjoyed the movie. </span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _MailAutoSig"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes; mso-fareast-: minor-fareastfont-family:'Times New Roman';" ><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>Mychawdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16666394132954799393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1980718097014621274.post-20451051573403427152011-04-20T05:56:00.002-04:002011-04-20T05:57:26.646-04:00You might find this interestingI'm not sure how to say this so I'll just tell you that you might find<a href="http://expectantknitter.blogspot.com/2011/01/week-8-inaugural-episode.html"> this </a>interesting.<br /><br />And perhaps that will explain where I've been the last few months and what I've been up to.Mychawdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16666394132954799393noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1980718097014621274.post-78027130725803329022011-03-06T07:08:00.003-05:002011-03-06T07:40:56.872-05:00It's March!<span style="font-family:Calibri;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDlG3-j5FCIO4GRuJc3yRyMLWTcUDAtcVeZOWSl2kQzWIw2henh_EQKRx_UFmV3ay7AMZrr_ErxdD6-zk5b6N1o1EKzYgHvgXdKxg8PyBUufzvdgMbFJFKrNT8g8132MDXqyCwBi5cLmqQ/s1600/005e+Red+Haruni.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 148px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580945694471508034" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDlG3-j5FCIO4GRuJc3yRyMLWTcUDAtcVeZOWSl2kQzWIw2henh_EQKRx_UFmV3ay7AMZrr_ErxdD6-zk5b6N1o1EKzYgHvgXdKxg8PyBUufzvdgMbFJFKrNT8g8132MDXqyCwBi5cLmqQ/s200/005e+Red+Haruni.JPG" /></a>I officially finished the Haruni on Feburary 10<sup>th</sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It was a labor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I can’t even say it was a labor of love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Blocking was almost as tedious as the knitting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I’m so glad it’s finished thoug<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxKjXldUrHFyO3DNQFmobH8-D4DANsh-54FGBWUeTuB3-WC2DlC5pIT4riT_wFi8yMUSe-pJ3U9BoaiQyOWNGCyPXL7cvRBCdk4QL0KcCffaOhbmBNDxCtlOV00asi7aSUgJoIRKAFHm-6/s1600/005g+Red+Haruni.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 96px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580945584151530770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxKjXldUrHFyO3DNQFmobH8-D4DANsh-54FGBWUeTuB3-WC2DlC5pIT4riT_wFi8yMUSe-pJ3U9BoaiQyOWNGCyPXL7cvRBCdk4QL0KcCffaOhbmBNDxCtlOV00asi7aSUgJoIRKAFHm-6/s200/005g+Red+Haruni.JPG" /></a>h.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I brought it to Knitting group where we all showed ours off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>That was a good time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Seeing finished shawls from worsted to light fingering weight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Seeing a 4 foot shawl in the same pattern as the tiny shawlett next to it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Seeing the variety of colors and textures was wonderful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></span><div><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">My vote goes to WickedPyssa’s black for most elegant, mine for lightest weight, and Beachyknitter’s for warmest. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">But they were all lovely.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"> </span></o:p></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">After thaking a month off to recover and think about what kind of shawl I’d like to torture myself with next, I’ve decided to take a shot at the Flamboyan by Stephen West.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I’m using String Theory Caper Sock in two colors that I can’t pronounce, Nerrivik and Tavikki.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It’s a pretty straight forward color block shawl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I think the finished results will be beautiful and the color changes will make the shawl an interesting knit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I’ll keep you posted on that progress.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"> </span></o:p></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">52 Pair Plunge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It’s been months.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I did finish a pair in December and another in January but I’ve been more interested in knitting baby stuff and shawls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Baby socks?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Possibly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I didn’t think the day would ever come when I would follow so many knitters before me and evolve away from socks to shawls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Socks just seem so much more functional to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But my sock drawer is full.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I have 8-10 pairs ahead in storage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>And I’m on a mission to find a shawl that I can wear like a rock star (the Haruni wasn’t it).</span></p></div>Mychawdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16666394132954799393noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1980718097014621274.post-41509497923777779002011-02-06T17:49:00.004-05:002011-02-06T17:59:53.422-05:00A Winter Wonderland<div><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgACT-uZFrOQzmow7qqA9_UovjqPAWYRmsApsIrTqK6feY_NmvnlmtynDXLx9wzyppshsQ_EsU0yuJiosZG0U9V_6S4cOY2We94HrbmAIHhzzCDQON9q5W0v7ZcUuWkxykFDcEr_d-uObz8/s1600/Webs+February+2011.JPG"><span style="font-size:130%;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570714144370763202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgACT-uZFrOQzmow7qqA9_UovjqPAWYRmsApsIrTqK6feY_NmvnlmtynDXLx9wzyppshsQ_EsU0yuJiosZG0U9V_6S4cOY2We94HrbmAIHhzzCDQON9q5W0v7ZcUuWkxykFDcEr_d-uObz8/s400/Webs+February+2011.JPG" /></span></a><span style="font-size:130%;">Went to Webs with the family this weekend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It was a funny experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The Boyfriend followed me around with the shopping basket catching the yarn as I threw it at him and raced through the store to get everything on my list before they closed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The cousins were in pursuit shooting questions about yarn at me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Yardage?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>What’s soft?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Care instructions?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I barked answers running up and down the warehouse isles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I’m sure the four of us were an entertaining site.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I got everything on my list and two new project bags.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I was astounded to see Di’ve Zenith in about 800 colors for $4 a skein.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> It's a </span>100% merino worsted yarn that knits like butter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It was all I could do not to buy another two sweaters worth (yes I already have two sweaters worth of it).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span><span style="font-size:130%;">After the whirl-wind Webs trip we walked the downtown of Northampton doing some fun shopping and having great Italian for dinner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The rain didn’t dampen our spirits although the icy roads and sidewalks did slow us down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It was a merry adventure I won’t soon forget.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span></span></p></div>Mychawdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16666394132954799393noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1980718097014621274.post-40631215473982621602011-01-14T17:08:00.002-05:002011-01-14T17:09:13.443-05:00Haruni, day 465!<div><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4fWbXMtl31PEMsGnGf79Ao-fkrIRMeoVjaEi8T952ykpVRqb3Fghg8NiKQlwbUg0dduaKeCPIT3Jc498NnQn7C0_IRZ58Nya2BN78t132GzVwrmzoK9HtTgujZ97ZjxRRoGmf-Z1BGJYT/s1600/005b+Red+Haruni.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562167024752861826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4fWbXMtl31PEMsGnGf79Ao-fkrIRMeoVjaEi8T952ykpVRqb3Fghg8NiKQlwbUg0dduaKeCPIT3Jc498NnQn7C0_IRZ58Nya2BN78t132GzVwrmzoK9HtTgujZ97ZjxRRoGmf-Z1BGJYT/s400/005b+Red+Haruni.JPG" /></a>At least that’s how it feels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Not sure what possessed me to suddenly become a monogamous knitter but I have been since the moment I cast this bad-boy on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Really it’s been 7 days and I’m a third of the way through the second and final chart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The lace itself has become very interesting, and the purl back rows have become gigantic!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>At roughly 400 stitches a row, it does take a chunk of time to complete each row.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Going forward I’m going to branch out a little and knit some socks but work to complete 4 rows on the Haruni a day until it’s done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Which would put me roughly at the end of next week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We shall see how I do with that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But on the positive side, this will definitely count toward my 12in2011 as this is most certainly stash yarn.</span></p></div>Mychawdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16666394132954799393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1980718097014621274.post-25667248549307136722011-01-10T20:09:00.001-05:002011-01-10T20:10:23.319-05:00Haruni updateAlright, so I've been home for a couple hours and knit 8 rows on teh Haruni. I'm pleased to announce that I haven't fallen asleep yet. Which is good, only 10 more rows to go until I'm onto the exciting Chart B!Mychawdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16666394132954799393noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1980718097014621274.post-82706559998856896072011-01-09T11:09:00.004-05:002011-01-09T11:20:25.734-05:00The Haruni<div><span style="font-family:Calibri;">The local knitting group is doing a shawl knit along.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I wasn’t there when the details were discussed but when I saw the post on Rav about it I was so excited I cast on almost immediately.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The shawl is one that I’ve admired and despised.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-IwEbmYkSfwncwbUp3yxTBe-K7gR72WXMqIO6xSvjZL9PXWeYCTorP2pzj-GQDg_FR1nh2Q7N2_pOLNe0HG9liqPh3nS8nN1t4npptfoHLXnrw2vbFjfqzvr8pwBwhomwIk5wqF5CC1de/s1600/Haruni-0002_medium.png"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 230px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560220553840845138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-IwEbmYkSfwncwbUp3yxTBe-K7gR72WXMqIO6xSvjZL9PXWeYCTorP2pzj-GQDg_FR1nh2Q7N2_pOLNe0HG9liqPh3nS8nN1t4npptfoHLXnrw2vbFjfqzvr8pwBwhomwIk5wqF5CC1de/s320/Haruni-0002_medium.png" /></a></span>The Haruni is both intricate with the flower edging and a bit old lady with the flowered edging.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It’s gone in and out of my queue several times over the last year, since it was first published.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Currently there are 3,000+ projects shown on Ravelry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Clearly I must be the only person having doubts about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>And since the other girls are doing it, I want to join in as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I dug through the stash and found a red yarn with the right yardage, 460 yards according to the pattern which will make it the largest shawl I’ve knit to date.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I picked a merino bamboo blend that I never understood why I bought.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Bamboo is not good for socks, and I don’t knit light fingering weight yarn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>So it seemed that the pattern and the yarn were meant for each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY8s19XToGi_XlNCakjXfNCWIFyefhh09ABl5jDSzM8MEVWKq5da-1DUtcuK9eKoMP9xLBC4AzeLodJiLDTEhyphenhyphenrTU_v3ZLgzYijrSu0EMOKLZbrYfTv_eBPdHlO1fcmYzuI53JCnPQP-GQ/s1600/010.JPG"></a></span></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY8s19XToGi_XlNCakjXfNCWIFyefhh09ABl5jDSzM8MEVWKq5da-1DUtcuK9eKoMP9xLBC4AzeLodJiLDTEhyphenhyphenrTU_v3ZLgzYijrSu0EMOKLZbrYfTv_eBPdHlO1fcmYzuI53JCnPQP-GQ/s1600/010.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560219347040580578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY8s19XToGi_XlNCakjXfNCWIFyefhh09ABl5jDSzM8MEVWKq5da-1DUtcuK9eKoMP9xLBC4AzeLodJiLDTEhyphenhyphenrTU_v3ZLgzYijrSu0EMOKLZbrYfTv_eBPdHlO1fcmYzuI53JCnPQP-GQ/s320/010.JPG" /></a></span>I watched a couple movies with the Boyfriend and Isitt while I worked chart A of the shawl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It was entertaining enough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span></div><div><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span> </p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">Shutter Island was one of the movies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I’m certain that if I had read the book that would have been a total mind f&%k.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Having watched the movie I felt it was uneventful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I don’t think they translated it well enough to the screen to be the mental thriller that it could’ve been.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But the rainy weather matched our weather outside so I kept watching to the end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>And when that ended I realized that I had to knit 4 more repeats of the chart for this shawl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>16 rows of the same diamond/leaf shapes for another 4 more times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Each row longer than the last.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I fell asleep at 7:30 last night, I was so board with this knitting.</span></p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal">I woke up refreshed, thinking I’d jump right in and it wasn’t nearly as bad as I had made it out to be last night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>After 3 rows I took a nap at 8am in morning!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This is overwhelmingly exciting lace knitting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I’ve now read the comments on other people’s projects about how they omitted the diamond/leaf shapes and did straight stockinet stitch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTYLynAJTJTuHHvueSph1zoIE3tVDgMcnIcsY984g1NvAFjAXhls6Wtk5yseKUJhjB2N1eGsYJ2ok-UTJgh8d1QT-2IFA4CyIZ5diyucwNLUp27JxiaxSgU84TIbzdh8tUoUsWhHYDWoEq/s1600/005a+Red+Haruni.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560220699683160466" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTYLynAJTJTuHHvueSph1zoIE3tVDgMcnIcsY984g1NvAFjAXhls6Wtk5yseKUJhjB2N1eGsYJ2ok-UTJgh8d1QT-2IFA4CyIZ5diyucwNLUp27JxiaxSgU84TIbzdh8tUoUsWhHYDWoEq/s320/005a+Red+Haruni.JPG" /></a></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal">Man I wish I had seen that yesterday!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I’ve completed 2 of the 4 repeats and I know that if I put this down I will dread finishing it and not come back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I think my main problem is that I expect lace to be different on each row and exciting, why else would you need a chart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTYLynAJTJTuHHvueSph1zoIE3tVDgMcnIcsY984g1NvAFjAXhls6Wtk5yseKUJhjB2N1eGsYJ2ok-UTJgh8d1QT-2IFA4CyIZ5diyucwNLUp27JxiaxSgU84TIbzdh8tUoUsWhHYDWoEq/s1600/005a+Red+Haruni.JPG"></a> </p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"> </span>I also expect it to change, I don’t think I’ve ever done such a monotonous lace pattern.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>My pervious lace endeavors had me on a new chart every 20 0r 30 rows not the same pattern for 80 rows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Plus the big payoff is chart B when the flowery part is knit, the intricate and old lady part.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Remind me again why I jumped right into knitting this project that I’ve been on the fence for months about?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>At least I didn’t waste the Madeline Tosh fingering weight yarn I just bought on this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I think I just need a tattoo or something in my face to remind me that I’m not a fan of lace knitting and to stop trying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTYLynAJTJTuHHvueSph1zoIE3tVDgMcnIcsY984g1NvAFjAXhls6Wtk5yseKUJhjB2N1eGsYJ2ok-UTJgh8d1QT-2IFA4CyIZ5diyucwNLUp27JxiaxSgU84TIbzdh8tUoUsWhHYDWoEq/s1600/005a+Red+Haruni.JPG"></a> </p></div>Mychawdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16666394132954799393noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1980718097014621274.post-86898530361464908482011-01-05T17:56:00.002-05:002011-01-05T18:00:54.309-05:00Wait, what did I forget?<div class="Section1"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma', 'sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">We just bought my parents CRV.<span> </span>It’s a 2007, silver EX-L, which is to say a super loaded 4 wheel drive SUV with a killer stereo and decent gas mileage.<span> </span>I’m feeling really spoiled.<span> </span>Today was my first day to drive it.<span> (The Boyfriend and I have agreed to share the new car). </span>This is the same vehicle that Mum and I drove all over the Northeast this fall to cat shows.<span> </span>In four months we put something like 15,000 miles on it.<span> </span>Of which I drove at least half.<span> </span>So this morning shouldn’t have felt that different compared to the past.<span> </span>First thing I noticed was all the space behind me.<span> </span>With an empty trunk and back seat, the CRV is huge.<span> </span>Next thing I noticed was how small my handbag looked on the seat next to me.<span> Shouldn't something larger be there? </span>I had this nagging feeling I was forgetting something.<span> </span>Something important.<span> </span>I drove on but the feeling persisted.<span> </span>And then I got the a red alarm message through my brain …<span> </span><strong>“HEY Genius!!!! <span> </span>You left Mum at the hotel!!!”</strong></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma', 'sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">After I remembered that it was a Wednesday and I was driving to work I concluded that it was Mum that was missing from the seat next to me.<span> </span>That was my nagging feeling of forgetting something.<span> </span>I’d never been in the car without her as my copilot.<span> </span>Funny.</span></p></div>Mychawdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16666394132954799393noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1980718097014621274.post-48984085574884766812010-12-27T15:12:00.003-05:002010-12-27T15:17:21.869-05:00Christmas socks<div><div><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpZIdctXbN4R_2lLGetPKUOv0MCAG5A9P5LBTDbK3I7yFEZ1k190CKX4Yk8lP6pxKz9jPzZWHOYDdqyYFPE1h6dIZUmYwo8f75YJKH9dnzcyw4UlYTStT6ktz4L3U6QvT2Y1ckY9xe4CnI/s1600/56a+Rockland+Tiger+Socks.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555458434617524258" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpZIdctXbN4R_2lLGetPKUOv0MCAG5A9P5LBTDbK3I7yFEZ1k190CKX4Yk8lP6pxKz9jPzZWHOYDdqyYFPE1h6dIZUmYwo8f75YJKH9dnzcyw4UlYTStT6ktz4L3U6QvT2Y1ckY9xe4CnI/s320/56a+Rockland+Tiger+Socks.JPG" /></a>The Boyfriend bought me sock yarn for Christmas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I had mentioned Knit Picks Essential or Opal in red, blues or purple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He also helped his mother and brother buy me sock yarn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>His parents came up with a teal Regia, another excellent choice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>His brother and his wife gave me a red-blue Opal and a blue-white Opal, more excellent choices.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>And The Boyfriend, he gave me a yarn gift certificate accompanied by “Tiger” Opal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>You know what tiger means?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Orange and white and Yellow and Brown and Black.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I’m seeing a communication breakdown here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">And what was the result of getting three skeins of sock yarn I really liked and one I despised?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I cast on the Tiger yarn immediately and informed Mr. Boyfriend that he’d be the ‘lucky’ recipient of this pair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>To which he stated he’d be happy to wear them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>And now that I reflect upon the happenings I’m wondering if he had an ulterior motive here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>His high school mascot was a Tiger after all.</span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><br /> </p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">Arya didn’t much care for the sock yarn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>She was more interested in being a present.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 398px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555457843239703906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEX3aqcUKwDvHwYuDNEA7UUjwhqKTXH2Re3J_U6sKrAa7bdXMfT_dmxNh6VlFZFkPmW_R_gu1jSrcXJJw-AdfmmQGmCW0X0yh42Y_2sJiDwJK6Kf5Nd0uejlHEeXSneGP00TzgSh6KVF16/s400/Arya+and+Presents.jpg" /></span></p></div></div>Mychawdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16666394132954799393noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1980718097014621274.post-16124015885825877872010-12-24T05:34:00.002-05:002010-12-24T05:37:27.212-05:00Yarn Buyer's Remorse<span style="color:#ffff99;"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Verdana', 'sans-serif'; mso-bidi-: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SAfont-family:'Times New Roman';" ><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">I find the best way to deal yarn buyer’s remorse to knit with it immediately. 9 times out of 10 if I buy yarn and cast on right away it's because I'm feeling guilty about adding to the stash. And psychologically if I knit it up and out right away then it was never stash and I didn't do anything wrong/questionable. How do you like that logic?!?! </span></span><br /><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Verdana', 'sans-serif'; mso-bidi-: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SAfont-family:'Times New Roman';" ><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"></span></span><br /><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Verdana', 'sans-serif'; mso-bidi-: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SAfont-family:'Times New Roman';" ><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">This is not a confession, this was some advice I recently gave a friend on a yarn diet who fell off the wagon. I was pleased with myself and thought I'd share.</span></span></span>Mychawdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16666394132954799393noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1980718097014621274.post-73742553044898433882010-12-21T06:14:00.003-05:002010-12-21T06:16:49.760-05:00Finished my third shawl<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><span style="font-size:130%;">For the last two years I’ve been waiting for the shawl bug to bite me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I went through the mandatory felting period, where I knit and shrank almost everything I created.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Next came the sock crazy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I’ve been submersed in socks for years, as you know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Loving them so much, in fact the last two years I’ve taken the 52 Pair Plunge, yes that’s a pair of socks a week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Some weeks are better than others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I’ve knit a few sweaters, averaging 2 a year I think.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>With all the girls going gaga for lace in 2009 I caved around Christmas time and tackled the springtime bandit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A rainbow colored Socks That Rock yarn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Not the greatest color or weight choice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Too heavy and so bright all of the detail of the lace is lost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Understandable I wouldn’t be hooked after that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A few months later I tried to get hooked again, this time with a more two color red-orange Schaefer Nicole yarn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Yes the feel of the yarn is wonderful but again too heavy and not enough yardage to make the size shawl I’d like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Again, not hooked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Should I be worried that I’m trying so hard to become addicted to something?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>To fit in with the crowd?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I went back to my socks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Love my socks, they come out just the way I want and after knitting fifty or so pairs I don’t have yarn weight issues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I know what works and I use it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;font-size:130%;"></span> </p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;font-size:130%;"></span> </p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;font-size:130%;"></span> </p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family:Calibri;font-size:130%;"></span></o:p></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family:Calibri;font-size:130%;"></span></o:p></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><span style="font-size:130%;">And then Thanksgiving was coming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The many days of knitting while visiting with family usually means I can tackle a big project and make some serious headway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A few years back I started my Ivy League Vest over Thanksgiving and was pleased with the results come Monday morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This year I opted to do a little Christmas knitting and tackle another shawl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I had bought yarn for this purpose at Rhinebeck and with the help of my friends, landed on the Seaside Shawlett by Wendy Johnson.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Pattern in hand I went to stay at the Oceanside cottage for Thanksgiving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It seemed fitting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I knit fifty percent of this shawl over the holiday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It is a lovely cashmere blend fingering weight yarn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Not too heavy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Dark chocolate color to really show the stitch details. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>And the pattern was just the right challenge to entertain my brain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></span> </p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></span> </p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span> </p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family:Calibri;font-size:130%;"></span></o:p></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></o:p></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Finally last week I finished my third shawl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>After the three part bind off, it took forever!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I stepped back and looked at my creation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Is that it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Is it really this small?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>That wouldn’t fit a child let alone my intended recipient.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I fussed and fretted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I consulted the pattern and my left over yarn ball.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Both indicated mine was somehow smaller than the one pictured.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I reviewed my notes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Yes I had completed all the chart repeats, I had notes day by day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>No way I got confused there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>And then I looked at my needles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Pattern says size 6 needles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“if these are size 6s I’ll eat Isitt!” and I checked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Not size 6.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Not size 5.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Not size 4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But size 3!!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>How could I be such a dolt?!?!?!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I was so anxious to cast on over Thanksgiving that I hadn’t checked the needles, just grabbed what I thought was a 6 after a few glasses of wine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I was heart broken.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This lace thing would never work out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I won’t be able to give this beautiful Christmas gift I’d been planning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I walked away in disgust for a few days.</span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;font-size:130%;"></span> </p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;font-size:130%;"></span> </p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;font-size:130%;"></span> </p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family:Calibri;font-size:130%;"></span></o:p></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;font-size:130%;"></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Late Sunday night I soaked the shawlett.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I pinned it out with the help of Isitt and Linus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Both were relieved that I hadn’t actually meant to eat Isitt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I walked away for a few more days and resolved that I would still give the gift with my best of intentions and promise to knit another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>During blocking I could see that the pattern didn’t look nearly as beautiful as it could’ve had the stitches been the right side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But you know, I am a loose knitter so it is probably more like a size 4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I could also see that the shawl spanned the width of the bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>None of my previous shawls did that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I had taken care to pull out the points along the edge but maintain the triangle shape as in the past I’d ended up with a more curved triangle that leaned toward my left arm instead of hanging nicely down to a point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;font-size:130%;"></span> </p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;font-size:130%;"></span> </p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;font-size:130%;"></span> </p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family:Calibri;font-size:130%;"></span></o:p></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;font-size:130%;"></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><span style="font-size:130%;">This morning The Boyfriend’s alarm went off at 5am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Try as we might, Isitt and I just couldn’t go back to sleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>So I unpinned the shawl from the guest bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Moment of truth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It fit me just like the picture!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>No this can’t be right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I ran to the bathroom to check in the mirror.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Yes, the point hits my waist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Or if I wrap it around my neck the ends hang down well to the sides.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Plenty long.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>My faith in shawls is restored.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Overall I’d say the shawl is pretty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>You can clearly see the lace details.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It is symmetrically blocked so the point hangs down nice and straight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It is very light and airy having the perfect weight yarn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The cashmere blend is soft and pleasant to the touch and neck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I will be proud to give this gift.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I will not however knit another shawl anytime soon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>While I’m pleased to say that I can knit lace, I’m not overwhelmed by the return on investment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Give me sweaters and socks!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>Mychawdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16666394132954799393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1980718097014621274.post-83955222876736039712010-12-15T19:22:00.003-05:002010-12-15T19:28:33.380-05:00Any idea where this quote came from?<span style="font-family:verdana;">I know, it's not Christmas-y but I recently watched this and couldn't get the power of his words out of my head. </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:verdana;"> "There’s an Earth saying,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Captain.</span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:verdana;"> A phrase of great power and wisdom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>And consolation to the soul in times of need, <span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'"><em>Allons-y!</em>"</span></span></p><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">also new licence plate.</span>Mychawdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16666394132954799393noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1980718097014621274.post-59952084233661154712010-12-13T13:00:00.005-05:002010-12-13T13:05:25.223-05:0052ppIV AND 12in2011<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma', 'sans-serif'; mso-bidi-: minor-bidifont-family:'Times New Roman';" >I think there are several reasons sock knitting has eluded me this month and yarn purchases continue to occur.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma', 'sans-serif'; mso-bidi-: minor-bidifont-family:'Times New Roman';" >First off, let me say that 28 pairs of socks in 29 weeks are a lot socks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>That’s 56 individual socks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Sure some of them were baby socks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But 56!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I have to admit that I’m worried there is some burnout going on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>As comfortable as it for me to knit on size 1 needles, I am getting tired of producing the same thing over and over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>And complicated interesting patterns don’t really speak to me, because they are slower and require more brain power.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The other variable is the yarn which has lead me down the yarn buying path since stripping yarn matches so well with simple socks and my stash is remarkable low on stripping yarn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I just did a quick count, before going stripping yarn crazy there were only 11 skeins in the stash of stripping yarn. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>So I’ve stunted/halted my sock knitting by forcing myself to overproduce unchallenging socks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Realizing this, I’m giving myself permission to knit other things.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma', 'sans-serif'; mso-bidi-: minor-bidifont-family:'Times New Roman';" ><o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma', 'sans-serif'; mso-bidi-: minor-bidifont-family:'Times New Roman';" >And once that permission was granted, well don’t you know that I went a little crazy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A couple new books arrived at my house, the Sock yarn book, and the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/new-england-knits-timeless-knitwear-with-a-modern-twist">New England Knits: Timeless Knitwear with a Modern Twist.</a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Both have enticed me away from socks and onto other things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The NE Knits book is seriously beautiful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I class unto itself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I’m so inspired by 7 or 8 of those patterns that I want to knit nothing but sweaters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But coming back to Earth, I realize that I knit myself two sweaters in 2009, and so far two sweaters in 2010.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>So before I launch into giant sweaters worth of yarn purchases I decided to do two things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma', 'sans-serif'; mso-bidi-: minor-bidifont-family:'Times New Roman';" ><o:p></o:p></span></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibbsZk9A7OG-LAEBtZ953EHaKC08kZxPkYeL7cfGEpN8sM8vSB0Pw_cxb7EHyCNLR9op_iG0OZjq18HfGajfHKpCnvROSgdSAPgoXNua4-bdplY0c72xf12HF0NLWCodGVR9u8npMHgSkW/s1600/40S_Blue_Blood_Leyfi_medium2.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550228258964185810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibbsZk9A7OG-LAEBtZ953EHaKC08kZxPkYeL7cfGEpN8sM8vSB0Pw_cxb7EHyCNLR9op_iG0OZjq18HfGajfHKpCnvROSgdSAPgoXNua4-bdplY0c72xf12HF0NLWCodGVR9u8npMHgSkW/s320/40S_Blue_Blood_Leyfi_medium2.jpg" /></a><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma', 'sans-serif'; mso-bidi-: minor-bidifont-family:'Times New Roman';" >First finish my Lefyi sweater. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>I knit half of in a week this summer while The Boyfriend was at fishing camp, and upon his return I promptly put in the closet to sit untouched until now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>There are three other sweaters on the needles right now but two are summer weight so no rush there, and the third is colorwork which I intended to be a slow project.<o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma', 'sans-serif'; mso-bidi-: minor-bidifont-family:'Times New Roman';" ><o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma', 'sans-serif'; mso-bidi-: minor-bidifont-family:'Times New Roman';" >Secondly join the 12in2011 group on Ravelry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This is a club that encourages it’s members to prep for a 2011 stash down by identifying 12 projects they really want to make next year and then pairing them with yarn that’s already in the stash.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In my usual fashion, I over did it, and found 17 projects.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But the point is, half of them are sweaters from New England Knits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma', 'sans-serif'; mso-bidi-: minor-bidifont-family:'Times New Roman';" ><o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma', 'sans-serif'; mso-bidi-: minor-bidifont-family:'Times New Roman';" >So once the Lefyi is finished, I’m launching into a new adventure with the 12in2011.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>That’s not to say I wont knit socks anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I’m just not going to feel guilty for knitting something other than a sock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>And I’m still accomplishing the same end goal of using up some stash yarn if I stick to the rules of the 12in2011.<o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma', 'sans-serif'; mso-bidi-: minor-bidifont-family:'Times New Roman';" ><o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma', 'sans-serif'; mso-bidi-: minor-bidifont-family:'Times New Roman';" >First on the needles…January 1<sup>st</sup> 2011…<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdrDhnyAYdCRNXGjcQRV9lxXmzRstWd37ZqFZQeByG7kA98vxcqp4nrwWXSwYpT4HoR_PwTwUUa1MdGpH1R82okX-fT51LcdfEInvtUCOkjH1TJiqRx3GmAPS_3YTFcXdDYdiWS2lMGFE1/s1600/Melrose01_medium2.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 283px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550228422752736690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdrDhnyAYdCRNXGjcQRV9lxXmzRstWd37ZqFZQeByG7kA98vxcqp4nrwWXSwYpT4HoR_PwTwUUa1MdGpH1R82okX-fT51LcdfEInvtUCOkjH1TJiqRx3GmAPS_3YTFcXdDYdiWS2lMGFE1/s320/Melrose01_medium2.jpg" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma', 'sans-serif'; mso-bidi-: minor-bidifont-family:'Times New Roman';" ><o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma', 'sans-serif'; mso-bidi-: minor-bidifont-family:'Times New Roman';" >The <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/melrose-peacoat">Melrose Peacoat by Cecily MacDonald </a>using my navy Cascade Eco+.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Don’t worry, I’ll give a full accounting of what my 12in2011 in the coming weeks as I get prepped for it.</span></p>Mychawdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16666394132954799393noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1980718097014621274.post-10287074925787196152010-12-12T16:56:00.002-05:002010-12-12T16:57:47.745-05:00Grinch<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxqmVV2wPtPH9v1Gptqhj0HpWYOskvkSJCG0XsMWLm78ALWVzO_munac7VwyPazVrjIrWD0CrvMWT1lV1Dd7oTjTAAVxWk757n7BB5ugZ_D9z-ASChWaG-fbatJlduWh47fP4mB7qOdrB7/s1600/grinch_santa.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 291px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549918144963718066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxqmVV2wPtPH9v1Gptqhj0HpWYOskvkSJCG0XsMWLm78ALWVzO_munac7VwyPazVrjIrWD0CrvMWT1lV1Dd7oTjTAAVxWk757n7BB5ugZ_D9z-ASChWaG-fbatJlduWh47fP4mB7qOdrB7/s320/grinch_santa.jpg" /></a> <p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">The tree is up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The lights are up on the tree.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I think we’re decorated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span></span> </p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>I’m just not into it this year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Something about it being December 12<sup>th</sup> and 45 degrees with a steady rain and not a single snow flake has fallen this winter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>If you can even call it a winter, I think of it more as an extended fall at this point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>So how can I feel holiday cheer?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I submit that I can not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Humanly impossible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span></span> </p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>I can’t even bring myself to knit Christmas gifts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I’ve accepted that this just isn’t my year for Christmas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>That must make me the Grinch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">It is still early, I could be rehabilitated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Here’s hoping.</span></p>Mychawdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16666394132954799393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1980718097014621274.post-28540340731281353862010-12-01T17:09:00.001-05:002010-12-12T17:21:21.310-05:00November 52PPIV Progress Update<div><div><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 12pt" class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma', 'sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">1. Finish the 3 WIPs and 8 pairs of hibernating socks I currently have on the needles. One of those pairs is from April 2009. Really it’s time to finish it.</span></i></b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma', 'sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"> <br style="mso-special-character: line-break"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break"><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 12pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma', 'sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigB9TGAv_-qUSep0SuyN1vTjLjmKMkviBbc_FPSM3TJ-4N-0G4_yE28fN1d4nnFOCD4aV0Z9kozxXsscLJQbS8skVGgVNZP5rjCD2wNin29zLKTbKmFgIerNXax-L3T3PhKwCuoj-Wr78W/s1600/51b+Boyfriend+Socks.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549922459755557442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigB9TGAv_-qUSep0SuyN1vTjLjmKMkviBbc_FPSM3TJ-4N-0G4_yE28fN1d4nnFOCD4aV0Z9kozxXsscLJQbS8skVGgVNZP5rjCD2wNin29zLKTbKmFgIerNXax-L3T3PhKwCuoj-Wr78W/s320/51b+Boyfriend+Socks.JPG" /></a>November: five pairs of socks hibernating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Now including all three of last month’s new WIPs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Oh that’s a sad state.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I hadn’t realized.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>–Isitt-Dilemma, Purple Socks, and Yes to the Dress.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 12pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma', 'sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">Added a few more active WIPs because what would life be if I didn’t have WIPs?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/KnittingSamurai/boyfriends-socks">The Boyfriend Socks</a> out of a Fortissima Socka self striping yarn he picked out and I immediately cast on during the Birthday Appetizer Trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It’s a simple 4x4 rib but I ‘accidently’ made the first one too small so they’re for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Really I didn’t mean to make them too short.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I will have to knit him another pair so there’s no avoiding it.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 12pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma', 'sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">Oh and I found the Froot Loop socks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I know I started them at a show this fall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Not sure when but I’ve been knitting them at lunch and in the car when I’m stuck in traffic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> This is a great pattern for the classy results for minimal brain expenditure.</span></span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma', 'sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma', 'sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">2. I currently have give-or- take 90 skeins worth of sock yarn. Enough to make 90 pairs of socks with lots of remnants. I will not stop buying new sock yarn but what if I can only knit the new after I’ve completed a pair with the stash sock yarn. Imagine if I cut the stash down by 26 skeins? That’d be a good part of a yarn bin free.</span></i></b><i><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma', 'sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"> </span></i><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma', 'sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma', 'sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 12pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma', 'sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">I’m going backwards here and I don’t even want to look.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>9 new socks worth of yarn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I don’t want to talk about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>So I’m net 27 new skeins on this year.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma', 'sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">3. Knit more with DK weight yarn. I’ve never knit a DK weight sock but it couldn’t hurt to make a pair of house socks for The DH, Mum, Dad, & Myself. Those will be quicker than regular socks.</span></i></b><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma', 'sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma', 'sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma', 'sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">I really don’t mean to be such a downer, but here is another goal that I’m falling short on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Just one pair!!!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>That’s all I need to feel like I complied.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 12pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma', 'sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 12pt" class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma', 'sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh_NVtd2au6ANMFSbzEhwfl1JRPZYTeZC09YvvzMbrkzsm5r6ruL5YFIEVMH3P2eTxeP0B3yHsrWIYA-qhjNd6a9upp1puQ8d7TqlBHzBnEEr58IGc8P1MImpMXFED7rKDQNPijEychAEC/s1600/50e+Catch+Up.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5549921686348993362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh_NVtd2au6ANMFSbzEhwfl1JRPZYTeZC09YvvzMbrkzsm5r6ruL5YFIEVMH3P2eTxeP0B3yHsrWIYA-qhjNd6a9upp1puQ8d7TqlBHzBnEEr58IGc8P1MImpMXFED7rKDQNPijEychAEC/s320/50e+Catch+Up.JPG" /></a>4. For every full size pair I knit, knit a pair of kids socks. Not baby socks. Those are so small they’re useless. Kids socks that I can give to Sophie or Simon or put away for some future child.<br /><br style="mso-special-character: line-break"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma', 'sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">But then, there was some success!!!!!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma', 'sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">This month I got the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/sock-yarn-one-skein-wonders">Sock Yarn One Skein Wonders book </a>by Judith Durant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Lots of cute patterns including an interesting baby sock pattern by <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/shibui-baby-hat-and-socks-2">Helen Bingham</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>So I knit one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>And then I knit another in a different color, and then I knit a third and before you know it I was cranking out a sock a day for several days in a row until I had a baby sock rainbow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>10 pairs in all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Which puts me at 28 completed pairs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>And as of November 20<sup>th</sup> I should be at 27 pairs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>So for one brief moment I am ahead!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In the count if nothing else.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div>Mychawdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16666394132954799393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1980718097014621274.post-25285660886857030882010-11-28T20:27:00.006-05:002010-12-01T07:13:30.535-05:00Thanksgiving<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%;font-family:'Trebuchet MS', 'sans-serif';font-size:10;" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmHyxcjHhluk_YAnyXtR9S9kbeNgkcmcZ6ZQ4BbGCy_6wq86CNNRCaq0_6-d6ZSycKjhlOY6vz_MLW5Jj5fQywgXvqqZIaQe5J2XYlFLUkMbyNBMQQtIvOR5P08sBTnrDtRf5n3TghUIls/s1600/Thanksgiving+2010+002.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 103px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545683553500738642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmHyxcjHhluk_YAnyXtR9S9kbeNgkcmcZ6ZQ4BbGCy_6wq86CNNRCaq0_6-d6ZSycKjhlOY6vz_MLW5Jj5fQywgXvqqZIaQe5J2XYlFLUkMbyNBMQQtIvOR5P08sBTnrDtRf5n3TghUIls/s320/Thanksgiving+2010+002.JPG" /></a>Thanksgiving has come and gone. I spent another enjoyable year with my In-laws, all 15 </span></span><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%;font-family:'Trebuchet MS', 'sans-serif';" >of them. </span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%;font-family:'Trebuchet MS', 'sans-serif';" >The Boyfriend and I counted, and we’re pretty sure this is the tenth year I’ve attended. </span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%;font-family:'Trebuchet MS', 'sans-serif';" >I’m pleased to say it never gets old. Each year is different in some way. Each year I get to know another member of the extended family a little bit more. </span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%;font-family:'Trebuchet MS', 'sans-serif';" >Each year I’m amazed that this family manages to come together once a year, every year for the past thirty plus years. </span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%;font-family:'Trebuchet MS', 'sans-serif';" >My in-laws are a wonderful mix of personalities and I am happy to be counted among their numbers. </span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%;font-family:'Trebuchet MS', 'sans-serif';" >They are completely different form my extended family yet I love them both and feel I belong with them both. I am truly thankful this Thanksgiving.</span></span></p>Mychawdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16666394132954799393noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1980718097014621274.post-85269651678182437432010-11-22T12:08:00.000-05:002010-11-22T12:10:04.679-05:00Ahh-choooooIt looks like it could snow any moment, and my lovely husband recently gave me a cold. Wont that make for a fun ride home, ahh-chooo, ahh-chooo, in between wiper swipes! I should really be at home, but Black Friday is looming...big…and bad…and ugly. I sincerely hope you're going shopping.Mychawdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16666394132954799393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1980718097014621274.post-29350663687302466532010-11-16T18:28:00.002-05:002010-11-16T18:29:15.024-05:00Ladies of the Family Get Down<div style='background-color:#e9e9e9; width: 567px;'><object id='A64060' quality='high' data='http://aka.zero.jibjab.com/client/zero/ClientZero_EmbedViewer.swf?external_make_id=YIpqpiby9txPBfC5&service=sendables.jibjab.com&partnerID=holidays' pluginspage='http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' wmode='transparent' height='319' width='567'><param name='wmode' value='transparent'></param><param name='movie' value='http://aka.zero.jibjab.com/client/zero/ClientZero_EmbedViewer.swf?external_make_id=YIpqpiby9txPBfC5&service=sendables.jibjab.com&partnerID=holidays'></param><param name='scaleMode' value='showAll'></param><param name='quality' value='high'></param><param name='allowNetworking' value='all'></param><param name='allowFullScreen' value='true' /><param name='FlashVars' value='external_make_id=YIpqpiby9txPBfC5&service=sendables.jibjab.com&partnerID=holidays'></param><param name='allowScriptAccess' value='always'></param></object><div style='text-align:center; width:435px; margin-top:6px;'>Personalize funny videos and birthday <a href='http://sendables.jibjab.com/ecards'>eCards</a> at JibJab!</div></div>Mychawdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16666394132954799393noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1980718097014621274.post-86763888836360989422010-11-02T20:03:00.007-04:002010-11-02T20:21:11.572-04:00October 52PPIV Progress Update<span style="font-size:12;"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">This is the progress update after the fifth month of the 52 Pair Plunge IV. I’m going to evaluate myself according to the 4 goals I’d set for myself at the start.<br /><br /><b><i><span style="font-size:12;"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbIgUeKaOjHL1oqnUzwdh_v3u-Mk3gx-q52OGl3-HNJCzkte0TY_wsloxmomS4-7FR4-KX3FoTVaRyPxPN3LZCSrumtlPN6QkDZB4J7Ks6SL93etcbCQVkIwkLt5-LM-p1fWxy6YloIs2z/s1600/44e++Teachers+Pet+Monkey.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 312px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535109490068085714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbIgUeKaOjHL1oqnUzwdh_v3u-Mk3gx-q52OGl3-HNJCzkte0TY_wsloxmomS4-7FR4-KX3FoTVaRyPxPN3LZCSrumtlPN6QkDZB4J7Ks6SL93etcbCQVkIwkLt5-LM-p1fWxy6YloIs2z/s320/44e++Teachers+Pet+Monkey.JPG" /></a></span></span>1. Finish the 3 WIPs and 8 pairs of hibernating socks I currently have on the needles. One of those pairs is from April 2009. Really it’s time to finish it.</i></b> </span></span><br /><span style="font-size:12;"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:12;"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></span><br /><div><div><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 12pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12;"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">This month I blasted through the<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/KnittingSamurai/monkey-3"> Teacher’s Pet Monkey socks</a>. I’m not sure if it was the pattern (I just love it and always want to knit just one more row) or the yarn. The Santa Fe sock yarn blew my mind. It’s a perfect substitute for Claudia’s Hand paint. I love that highly twisted texture of the yarn but have a hard time justifying 100% merino socks. I wore through my a pair of them in less than 10 wears, which is totally not worth the effort of knitting them. But now, who should walk through the door but this Santa Fe sock yarn with 10% nylon? <em>See The Samurai smile.</em> That’s not say that I love Claudia’s any less, I just won’t use it for another pair of socks (or if I must, not without reinforcing thread).<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 12pt" class="MsoNormal"></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 12pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12;"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGr8YDOoKAa3yr1Tk4e68FfPAeLoEKmUSd5dCyOzUWF-ps_kL1cPPLTbMLWFdHyi3Ji1-c3UzaqMTDNYKdaW_e-xtm0R9Xul2lPCflaM94LaiZvfAmJ72u4aFvmj8ENHIjRrQqshxJ2RCR/s1600/42G+Arya%27s+Adventures.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 244px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535108581727960130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGr8YDOoKAa3yr1Tk4e68FfPAeLoEKmUSd5dCyOzUWF-ps_kL1cPPLTbMLWFdHyi3Ji1-c3UzaqMTDNYKdaW_e-xtm0R9Xul2lPCflaM94LaiZvfAmJ72u4aFvmj8ENHIjRrQqshxJ2RCR/s320/42G+Arya%27s+Adventures.JPG" /></a>Next off the needles was a pair of <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/KnittingSamurai/aryas-adventures">simple two by two rib socks </a>intended as mindless car knitting. And that’s just what they were. I knit these on the way to cat shows all over New York and Pennsylvania. I haven’t used the Trekking XL much, but it seems like a good workhorse yarn. Not too soft but I’d be willing to bet a skein of yarn that five years from now these babies will be well worn and ready for more.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12;"><o:p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12;"><o:p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 12pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12;"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">And most recently I finished off the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/KnittingSamurai/anastasia-socks-2">Red Queen socks</a>. It’s the Anastasia pattern paired with this self stripping Ditto sock yarn. This is the second time I knit this pattern and I still enjoy its subtle change in the direction of the stripes. The yarn has been discontinued which doesn’t break my heart. I found it somewhat splitty which is not a complaint I often have being a loose knitter. I did enjoy the almost tonal stripes. It was difficult to tell when the next color would start which kept my interest.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 12pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12;"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">And to replace those three FOs there are three new WIPs on the needles;<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6FTwx5IiV6Ui8gFofNNlA1jA3iU1IEEDzavz8xQPC5OiUEPcVykOvEblc01VZ4JBEBr2zNimbwJxYy91Lj8UFY68sA0NkGKCHKm5AsNRsq0G4oeyaJ9yzPMsCRZbQYqHEF4ms3V0IT8eZ/s1600/43H+The+Red+Queen.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 245px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535108038096557922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6FTwx5IiV6Ui8gFofNNlA1jA3iU1IEEDzavz8xQPC5OiUEPcVykOvEblc01VZ4JBEBr2zNimbwJxYy91Lj8UFY68sA0NkGKCHKm5AsNRsq0G4oeyaJ9yzPMsCRZbQYqHEF4ms3V0IT8eZ/s320/43H+The+Red+Queen.JPG" /></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 12pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12;"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">1) The Isitt-Dilemma or Isitt an Emma Dilemma: A stitch pattern from my page a day calendar and some Lorna’s laces Sheppard’s sock in Irving park. Named for the girls, Isitt & Emma.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 12pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12;"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">2) The Need More Purple socks: exactly the same colors as the Isitt-Dilemma socks. This is the Hermione’s Everyday paired with some Aussie Sock in the color Hot Pepper, I just love that name.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 12pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12;"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">3) Say Yes To The Dress: can you tell what I’ve been watching? Another simple 4x4 rib to knit while traveling to cat shows, in the show hall, or when I’m brain dead at the hotel after a day of showing. Who know showing cats could be so exhausting!?!? Sometimes I’m just too tired to even knit. <i>Gasp!</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12;"><o:p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12;"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">I’d like to say that I have the same 4 pairs of hibernating socks that I did last month but I have to be honest, the Waves in PacaPeds and the new Isitt-Dilemma Socks have both moved into hibernation. I’ll definitely go back to the Isitt-Dilemma socks but for now they need more mental capacity then I have. Plus the yarn is VERY thin, a super light fingering which isn’t my favorite to knit with. And the Pacapeds are pooling something awful, hahaha the Wave socks are pooling! I’m not in love with the Nanners pattern with this yarn so I might just frog them and make fingerless mitts with the yarn instead. I’ll get back to you on that one. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-size:12;"><o:p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></o:p></span></i></b></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-size:12;"><o:p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></o:p></span></i></b></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-: minor-latinfont-family:Calibri;font-size:12;" ><o:p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></o:p></span></i></b></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><b><i><span style="font-size:12;"><span style="font-size:12;"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjw56ha8AY7UYCfjMNGGYCUkQzb24dUbrmKjUpPpElAc_g_SaltMxghMJJuD-BjVuPKCghfIxTko8LNsf5a8wzbOTP8lHHy209Z1FkhYyXYLnsZJcFM2eya98t2r68rCUA2unP9kGwCuCM/s1600/10.17.10+Rhinebeck+(1).JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535107725323529554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjw56ha8AY7UYCfjMNGGYCUkQzb24dUbrmKjUpPpElAc_g_SaltMxghMJJuD-BjVuPKCghfIxTko8LNsf5a8wzbOTP8lHHy209Z1FkhYyXYLnsZJcFM2eya98t2r68rCUA2unP9kGwCuCM/s320/10.17.10+Rhinebeck+(1).JPG" /></a></span></span>2. I currently have give-or- take 90 skeins worth of sock yarn. Enough to make 90 pairs of socks with lots of remnants. I will not stop buying new sock yarn but what if I can only knit the new after I’ve completed a pair with the stash sock yarn. Imagine if I cut the stash down by 26 skeins? That’d be a good part of a yarn bin free.</span></i></b><i><span style="font-size:12;"> </span></i><span style="font-size:12;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12;"><o:p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 12pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12;"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">Alright, well you have to give me some leeway on this one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I mean Rhinebeck was this month.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>How could I not buy sock yarn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But I did buy two sweaters worth of sock yarn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>That’s a feebile attempt at explaining how it is that I acquired 21 skeins of sock yarn in a month.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>That more than undoes all of the work I’ve done to this point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Having completed 18 Pairs this plunge to date.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>And while I added 21 skeins I did finish off 3 so net is 18 new skeins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 12pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-: minor-latinfont-family:Calibri;font-size:12;" ><o:p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><b><i><span style="font-size:12;">3. Knit more with DK weight yarn. I’ve never knit a DK weight sock but it couldn’t hurt to make a pair of house socks for The DH, Mum, Dad, & Myself. Those will be quicker than regular socks.</span></i></b><b><span style="font-size:12;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12;"><o:p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiib81EOxYemOLUHv2nSranNKMWGiH-JeIdqVqQudWNantS8lkDO-nSCNvoCB2_7YsVth-VGr4UR8OrrRsQAGc88dWSBzTtovcc8g016_QijGCpMeUB-y2_xWoVxhl8Su2PnoX5PIp_H7Cu/s1600/49a+Say+Yes+To+The+Dress.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535107417402369442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiib81EOxYemOLUHv2nSranNKMWGiH-JeIdqVqQudWNantS8lkDO-nSCNvoCB2_7YsVth-VGr4UR8OrrRsQAGc88dWSBzTtovcc8g016_QijGCpMeUB-y2_xWoVxhl8Su2PnoX5PIp_H7Cu/s320/49a+Say+Yes+To+The+Dress.JPG" /></a></span></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12;"><o:p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12;"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">I did cast on a pair of sport weight socks!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>That’s closer to DK then I’ve ever been before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>They knit super fast!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>They are the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/KnittingSamurai/say-yes-to-the-dress">Say Yes To The Dress Socks</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12;"><o:p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 12pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12;"><o:p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 12pt" class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-size:12;"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">4. For every full size pair I knit, knit a pair of kids socks. Not baby socks. Those are so small they’re useless. Kids socks that I can give to Sophie or Simon or put away for some future child. <br style="mso-special-character: line-break"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12;"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">No baby socks this month. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12;"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">In October I knit 3 pairs of socks, added to the 15 from the last four months and I’ve fallen a little further behind as I should be at 22 on October 26<sup>th</sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>And now we’re approaching Christmas knitting time, mittens, hats, shawls, and cowls are in my future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>But I’ll keep at the simple socks for Show Hall and in public knitting.</span></span></p></div></div>Mychawdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16666394132954799393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1980718097014621274.post-67693497139433133272010-10-28T20:46:00.003-04:002010-10-28T20:48:19.242-04:00Happy Halloween<div style='background-color:#e9e9e9; width: 567px;'><object id='A64060' quality='high' data='http://aka.zero.jibjab.com/client/zero/ClientZero_EmbedViewer.swf?external_make_id=E4MyuSwmJt465BYC&service=sendables.jibjab.com&partnerID=halloween' pluginspage='http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' wmode='transparent' height='319' width='567'><param name='wmode' value='transparent'></param><param name='movie' value='http://aka.zero.jibjab.com/client/zero/ClientZero_EmbedViewer.swf?external_make_id=E4MyuSwmJt465BYC&service=sendables.jibjab.com&partnerID=halloween'></param><param name='scaleMode' value='showAll'></param><param name='quality' value='high'></param><param name='allowNetworking' value='all'></param><param name='allowFullScreen' value='true' /><param name='FlashVars' value='external_make_id=E4MyuSwmJt465BYC&service=sendables.jibjab.com&partnerID=halloween'></param><param name='allowScriptAccess' value='always'></param></object><div style='text-align:center; width:435px; margin-top:6px;'>Personalize funny videos and birthday <a href='http://sendables.jibjab.com/ecards'>eCards</a> at JibJab!</div></div>Mychawdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16666394132954799393noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1980718097014621274.post-77813290781968856732010-10-19T21:40:00.000-04:002010-10-25T09:57:47.106-04:00Rhinebeck 2010<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 270px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531978095775359650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXnflx_asSw7OtEzV-utmMXcjQvpgyyVFrNJ3qDuCvChnfqrVT-AbWJoRk46bYAcH0nJez3jv9UE4yn1G9BED8ce5uZltgGGVxb0wGLn9wuORYNOz7bYqHgnxScmpw_DuOcQKo1sc8TDbM/s400/rhinebeck-photobooth-15.jpg" /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUcZJugfGv2vUXdf7ppiGjJlN_-VE11dgJDTuPzuMjEbFa0-MJ9rsSeZjj7J8KghISyfNuhxQ0ByCRqT1TEsf3_pfbYu2DGNIad1fl8_2zaIvdOvWTZIVZqSY0QV7fj-pRfeyzhfcMD8ic/s1600/10.17.10+Rhinebeck+(1).JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531978367356078786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUcZJugfGv2vUXdf7ppiGjJlN_-VE11dgJDTuPzuMjEbFa0-MJ9rsSeZjj7J8KghISyfNuhxQ0ByCRqT1TEsf3_pfbYu2DGNIad1fl8_2zaIvdOvWTZIVZqSY0QV7fj-pRfeyzhfcMD8ic/s400/10.17.10+Rhinebeck+(1).JPG" /></a><span style="font-family:Calibri;">Rhinebeck WAS!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It is an amazing display of yarn and goodies and a non-stop knitting runway show.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I love the fall atmosphere and the fried artichokes!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>As you can see I did some damage on the stash front.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span><br /><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>--Pictured are several colors of Socks That Rock –including two skeins of medium weight for a BSJ,</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Calibri;">--Sanguine Gryphon Bugga (20% cashmere fingering weight merino) in the color Cowkiller (no less than a sweaters worth),</span><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span> </p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">--Footnotes Optics and Kashmir for socks and a Christmas shawl, somebody who likes brown better watch out…</span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span> </p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">--Feederbrook Farm worsted handspun –lime, navy, and plum -120 yards for accent on a hat</span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span> </p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">--Pinewoods sock yarn, two skeins because she amazes me with her dye application and smooth color transitions</span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span> </p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">--Briar Rose 4<sup>th</sup> of July is the green-blue barber pole worsted yarn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Shown in the giant skeins on the right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Another sweaters worth</span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span> </p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">--Lorna’s laces Sheppard Worsted in Zombie Barbeque.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I couldn’t resist the color once I read the name.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>IT’s the lime, gray, red color way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Another BSJ?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>A hat for me?</span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">I also picked up the perfect buttons for my Scottish Green hat that I knit in January for Rhinebeck but was unable to find buttons that matched its mix of argyle and sophisticated style.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">And who could forget the bummer stickers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The best one is on my fridge “If knitting were exercise, you could bounce a quarter off my ass.”</span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">MMH is pumped to go to Maryland Sheep and Wool this spring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I could definitely be persuaded…</span></p>Mychawdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16666394132954799393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1980718097014621274.post-41398812219093513612010-10-13T21:33:00.000-04:002010-10-25T09:39:36.412-04:00Happy Anniversary Dear!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVDmwefeP0KCfYqvlkhYvxXk0L98F_7KynZWMcsBea2Go7bUj01KMh0jAUBpwOBdqejvn9iRcwljfN3cTjsQbety4RqKnTJPlcCbayCPoGpXf-n9EqqySYqTynTcmHQDPDGjuXCRxWFMVY/s1600/004.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531976491769434994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVDmwefeP0KCfYqvlkhYvxXk0L98F_7KynZWMcsBea2Go7bUj01KMh0jAUBpwOBdqejvn9iRcwljfN3cTjsQbety4RqKnTJPlcCbayCPoGpXf-n9EqqySYqTynTcmHQDPDGjuXCRxWFMVY/s320/004.JPG" /></a><br /><div></div>Mychawdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16666394132954799393noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1980718097014621274.post-46116228589353302352010-10-12T18:27:00.000-04:002010-10-12T19:31:37.959-04:00Rhinebeck Just 3 Days Away!<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma', 'sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">The forecast for Friday is rain. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma', 'sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Saturday is Windy with a high of 56.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma', 'sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Sunday is Sunny and 63.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma', 'sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma', 'sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Which means we’ll have a rainy drive down, a cold say Saturday and a warmer relaxing day on Sunday. I’m ok with that. Right now my desk is covered with tiny post-it notes reminding me to pack tissues, an expandable bag to carry purchases in, and my full set of needles so that I can cast on with new yarn. Going away with a bunch of gals always intrigues me. Not that woman want anything different than men, it’s just the group dynamic I guess. I’m wondering if there is some perfect snack item that we would all love or if a breakfast muffin mix would be appreciated more than a trip to Dunkin’. Probably not. Although that does remind me that I need to pack coffee, where’s the post-it? I get up entirely too early to wait for everyone else to wake up and go before getting some of that into my system.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Mychawdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16666394132954799393noreply@blogger.com1