I started to log in last night to post a comment about my latest unprogress on my complicated Secrets of the Stole project but I was so stressed by a disagreement with one of my lovely teens that I couldn't even think to get the password straight.
I opted instead to sit in bed and read Newsweek. Ironically, the cover article was about how stress can be a good thing - if so, I've got it made. The most interesting part was buried deep in the article about how men and women respond differently to stress. Both genders experience stress as a rise in adrenaline and coritsol. What's different is our reaction. Women are more likely to turn to their social networks, which prompts the release of oxytocin, which mutes the stress systems. If we are surrounded by loved ones when a stressor arises, there some evidence that we don't even show as much of the initial hormonal response, which means less risk of long-term harm to the brain.
It's a scientific explanation of what I have gathered by instinct - turning to friends helps my cope with the challenges (I prefer to think of the issues I face as challenges rather than problems) both big and small that make my life interesting.
Through the benefits of modern technology, I have an extended social network that is available to me even when I can't get out of the house. For you all, I am extremely grateful. I hope in response that I am able to at times relieve the risk of long term harm to your brain.
Speaking of stress - I managed four rows of the extremely complicated pattern only to find I had two stitches too few. I could have just faked it, but why bother with all the work that's already gone into this? It's not going to get done anytime soon anyway so I figured it might as well get done right. I tried tinking back and ended up with two extra stitches!?! So frogged. I am beginning to understand the zen of knitting - in knitting, it's not always about advancing and adding rows, it's about getting it right. If you've gotten no further than you were, but the project looks like it's supposed to, then your time hasn't been wasted. Tinking and frogging bring opportunities to learn more about the craft, to understand how the loops fit together, to see how the pattern forms.
Another article in the Newsweek talked about a Navy training program in which the trainees hands and feet are bound and they are thrown into a pool. Those who struggle and thrash about inevitably fail and have to be rescued. In order to succeed, you have to let yourself sink and then push yourself off the bottom up to the surface where you can get a gasp of air before sinking and doing that again. Sometimes that is how it is in knitting - relax, do the opposite of what your mind says - go back instead of forward - and then you can move ahead. Sometimes that is how it is in life. Not always. Sometimes it is perfectly appropriate to run screaming from the room.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Congo socks
The socks arrived in the Congo and they fit! Yeah!
The yarn is self striping - the pattern got a bit lost in the ribbing, but it still looks good. They were based primarily on measurements and patterns in Sensational Knitted Socks - which is the book to have if you want to knit socks. It has charts to make socks in any size depending on your gauge plus patterns to try. It has instructions for top down, toe up, as well as short row heels and flap heels in both directions. I prefer short row heels, although I still struggle with them. I find it hard to concentrate and so I'm constantly losing my place. I liked the book's explanation, but I tried another way, the Lifestyle Toe Up, that I found on the web; there's even a video demonstration. It doesn't use wraps and instead has you knit an extra stitch. It was easy to follow and came out reasonably well. Any troubles were user error.
I love magic loop two at a time. I can't imagine making socks one at a time in part because I'm sure I'd lose count of the rows and because it's too easy to not make the second one. If you haven't tried it, it's not as hard as it looks.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Another reason to knit
It turns out there is a very good reason to knit other than to make really great things - it helps delay the onset of dimentia, according to a recent study. Watching television, however, may speed up memory loss.
There's two ways of looking at that for those of us who knit while watching television - one is that you are cancelling out the benefits of knitting by watching the box. I prefer, however, to regard it as balancing the negative of watching television with the goodness of knitting!
I've heard from DH that the luggage arrived! Whew. The socks fit. Whew. He even took pictures as requested, but the computer failed to cooperate with him and erased the pictures (or so he says, hmmmm...)
Dh says he's hearing some heart breaking stories from the victims of the violence in the Congo. He also met two soldiers who believe they are made of water and therefore can not be killed in battle. The city is devastated and yet life continues with children in uniforms going to school. In contrast, our ordinary life of school vacation, trips to the store and stops at MacDonalds feels so priveleged. Dishwashers, washing machines, stoves ... I don't think I appreciate them enough because I don't really know what it's like to live without them. Even beyond that, the relative peace in which we live - it's an amazing blessing.
There's two ways of looking at that for those of us who knit while watching television - one is that you are cancelling out the benefits of knitting by watching the box. I prefer, however, to regard it as balancing the negative of watching television with the goodness of knitting!
I've heard from DH that the luggage arrived! Whew. The socks fit. Whew. He even took pictures as requested, but the computer failed to cooperate with him and erased the pictures (or so he says, hmmmm...)
Dh says he's hearing some heart breaking stories from the victims of the violence in the Congo. He also met two soldiers who believe they are made of water and therefore can not be killed in battle. The city is devastated and yet life continues with children in uniforms going to school. In contrast, our ordinary life of school vacation, trips to the store and stops at MacDonalds feels so priveleged. Dishwashers, washing machines, stoves ... I don't think I appreciate them enough because I don't really know what it's like to live without them. Even beyond that, the relative peace in which we live - it's an amazing blessing.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Socks away
I finished dh's socks with just hours to spare. I cast off at 1:15 a.m. and he got on a taxi at 4 a.m. I stuffed the socks in the front of his suitcase along with the Valentine's Day cards from the children. I figured he's going to the other side of the world - he won't get there until Valentine's Day and it will be a nice surprise.
I next heard from him when he was on the runway on Ethopian Airlines. Somehow, his suitcase hadn't made it. He's thinking about all the stuff he may not have when he arrives. Of course I'm thinking about the socks! I should have stuffed them in his carryon bag!
Maybe I'll be able to post a picture soon...fingers crossed.
I next heard from him when he was on the runway on Ethopian Airlines. Somehow, his suitcase hadn't made it. He's thinking about all the stuff he may not have when he arrives. Of course I'm thinking about the socks! I should have stuffed them in his carryon bag!
Maybe I'll be able to post a picture soon...fingers crossed.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Fast and fabulous
Does it ever happen to you that a project just gets stuck in your head? Last year I made a scarf for a well-deserving friend of mine. It was a beautiful lace scarf in an oh-so-soft light green yarn. I was happy to hear that she was thrilled with it. But, she lives in Wisconsin. It is cold there. Very cold. The scarf I made was pretty and it was probably warmish, but it wasn't a wrap- around-your-face-to-keep-out-the-north-wind sort of warm. And thus I had one of those projects that lives in your head nagging to be completed. It took almost a full year. My plan for the original scarf was to have it done for Valentine's Day of last year. That proved impossible since I picked a way-complicated pattern. Somehow, it seemed appropriate then to shoot for this Valentine's Day. I found a gorgeous well endowed Laines du Nord yarn - big yarn makes for quick knitting on 10.5 needles. I made it in mistake rib on 31 stitches. After it was finished, at both ends, I picked up the stitches using some stashed navy blue yarn and knit a modified ruffle - instead of knitting f&B of every stitch, I knit f&b of ever fourth stitch.
Once the scarf was done, I realized I still had a whole lot of yarn - there was 350 yards on the skein. So, a matching hat was in order. Inspired by one recently made by the Yarn Harlot for her daughter. She was inspired by this hat - which now that I look at is what I had in my head when I knit mine. I knit a band in garter stitch, slipping the first stitch of every row, until it wrapped around my head. I tapered off the end and sewed it together with the ends overlapping. Next, I picked up stitches along one row through the back loop (to leave a ridge). On the first row I added a few stitches since the gauge of the two yarns didn't match perfectly. I wasn't sure at first that I would get it done on time to send with the scarf for Vday. But again, big yarn = wicked fast knit. I had the band done during one Scrubs episode and half of the top during the
news. I finished all but the decreases during a phone meeting (really, I concentrate better when I knit!) The best part is that I'm confident it will fit. This is a great way to knit a hat if you don't want to bother with swatching.
It's interesting to note (at least to me) that I knit the scarf on 10.5s and it made for a great, light, fluffy fabric. I knit the hat on 9s, however. The fabric was a little more dense, but just right for a more structured object.
I mailed them off today even though I have enough yarn for half mitts. :) I need to move onto my other Valentine's Day project - socks for dh who is heading off to the Congo on Friday. He's going to write about some Harvard research there.
Once the scarf was done, I realized I still had a whole lot of yarn - there was 350 yards on the skein. So, a matching hat was in order. Inspired by one recently made by the Yarn Harlot for her daughter. She was inspired by this hat - which now that I look at is what I had in my head when I knit mine. I knit a band in garter stitch, slipping the first stitch of every row, until it wrapped around my head. I tapered off the end and sewed it together with the ends overlapping. Next, I picked up stitches along one row through the back loop (to leave a ridge). On the first row I added a few stitches since the gauge of the two yarns didn't match perfectly. I wasn't sure at first that I would get it done on time to send with the scarf for Vday. But again, big yarn = wicked fast knit. I had the band done during one Scrubs episode and half of the top during the
news. I finished all but the decreases during a phone meeting (really, I concentrate better when I knit!) The best part is that I'm confident it will fit. This is a great way to knit a hat if you don't want to bother with swatching.It's interesting to note (at least to me) that I knit the scarf on 10.5s and it made for a great, light, fluffy fabric. I knit the hat on 9s, however. The fabric was a little more dense, but just right for a more structured object.
I mailed them off today even though I have enough yarn for half mitts. :) I need to move onto my other Valentine's Day project - socks for dh who is heading off to the Congo on Friday. He's going to write about some Harvard research there.
Saturday, February 07, 2009
Knitting popular cultural reference
Here is a sign of how much knitting has penetrated popular culture. Note this passage from an article in the January 2009 Scientific American issue all about evolution. The article is about how some medical problems we have are due to how our bodies evolved from fish:
"The major bones in human knees, backs and wrists arose in aquatic creatures hundreds of millions of years ago. Is it any surprise, then, that we tear cartrilage in our knees and suffer carpal tunnel syndrome as we type, knit or write? Our fish and amphibian ancestors did not do these things."
This leads me to wonder - does the author knit? Is he married to a knitter? Are there other knitters in his life? Do they suffer from carpal tunnel?
What would a fish knit if a fish could knit? There is a children's story about a hand knit sock that goes missing and ends up being used as a sleeping bag for a fish.
"The major bones in human knees, backs and wrists arose in aquatic creatures hundreds of millions of years ago. Is it any surprise, then, that we tear cartrilage in our knees and suffer carpal tunnel syndrome as we type, knit or write? Our fish and amphibian ancestors did not do these things."
This leads me to wonder - does the author knit? Is he married to a knitter? Are there other knitters in his life? Do they suffer from carpal tunnel?
What would a fish knit if a fish could knit? There is a children's story about a hand knit sock that goes missing and ends up being used as a sleeping bag for a fish.
Friday, February 06, 2009
Momma's Dolls
My mom is great. She loves me and I love to knit, so she learned how to knit again. That's great
cause now we can do knitting things together. When she was here awhile ago, we hunted down a yarn store in Salem and found this adorable kit for something called a Kuku Doll. There sure are some imaginative, creative people out there! These dolls are just darling. Initially, we were disciplined and left the store with just yarn for a new scarf. But we couldn't stop thinking about these winsome dolls and their sweet smiles. The bodies are felted and the faces are made with needle felting. Mom says it's really not that hard to do. The yellow-haired doll is George. He lives with mom now. The other one she made for a new baby boy. The scarf is done and now she's making a matching hat. Go mom!
Wednesday, February 04, 2009
Cost Effective Knitting
Early on in my knitting career I learned to think not just about the price per skein but also the price per yard. A $20 skein with 350 yards is a better deal than a $10 skein with just 90 yards, for instance. Now I have another way to measure cost - the price per project. In shopping recently for yarn for a baby hat for my new niece, I 
found four irrisistable colors in a yarn that wasn't so cheap. I was looking at a price tag of $40 for one hat! But after I finished with that one, I kept on knitting (it was too big and ended up being snapped up by the 3yo anyway) and made two more plus a doll. She is based on the pattern in the Weekend Knitting book, which I highly 
recommend. She is knit in pieces and then sewn up. After botching the seams badly, I am thinking and thinking about how to make her in the round.
found four irrisistable colors in a yarn that wasn't so cheap. I was looking at a price tag of $40 for one hat! But after I finished with that one, I kept on knitting (it was too big and ended up being snapped up by the 3yo anyway) and made two more plus a doll. She is based on the pattern in the Weekend Knitting book, which I highly 
recommend. She is knit in pieces and then sewn up. After botching the seams badly, I am thinking and thinking about how to make her in the round.The hats are based on a combination of patterns.
Both of the little hats are made with 72 stitches knit in the round. On the ruffled edge, I cast on 144 stitches, knit one round and k2tog around to get the ruffle. I then did a single stitch rib for 4 rounds. I had hoped that would bring in the hat a little to make it fit tighter and stay on better. I'm not sure if it worked out, but it looks okay. I didn't realize that ribbing stands out from stockinette stitch. I thought it would pull it in and make that part of the hat tighter.
The yarn is Debbie Bliss Rialto - it's a superwash merino. It is a dream to knit with. That's part of the reason I made so many things - I just couldn't stop. It's soft and springy. It is, however, very splitty. It's not the sort of yarn that holds up well to being frogged multiple times (unfortunatley, I know this from personal experience).
Now that I am all done, DSIL has requested a white crocheted hat with a crocheted flower for the baby girl. That's fine - I don't mind having another project. But, I realized that as I have been organizing and sending unused items off to bless others that I blessed her with all my crochet books! Silly me. Thankfully there are so many patterns available on line.
Tuesday, February 03, 2009
Smitten with Smitten
We discovered recently a fabulous book at our local library called Smitten. It's about a mateless mitten that teams up with mateless sock. The best part is when the mitten becomes unraveled and the sock high tails it to a knitting shop where he finds a knitting how-to book and puts his friend back together.
It's a delightful story that appeals to both boys and girls ( I say this from direct experience) and even the teens.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Filosofical Friday
Springer hunting for tennis ball:
Filosofical Friday
A couple of years ago when dashing with my minions through the airport, a book caught my eye:
Creating A Charmed Life; Sensible Spiritual Secrets Every Busy Woman Should Know. It's not usually my type of book , but this time I couldn't resist on the off chance that there was actually some secret to life that I've missed.
"The ability to coexist with the unresolved has immense practical value. Without it, we can function at our best only when everything is perfect (in other words, never). Even solvable problems seldom have instant answers. Until these problems are worked through,
we share space with them."
This is not to say that I think of patterns or yarn as problems - but they are unresolved things in my life.
"Dilemmas need fences to prevent them from migrating. Fencing in an obstacle means keeping it contained so it doesn't affect the rest of your life....When you have well-tended fences, one or two or a dozen things going wrong won't negate the 147 that are going right."
When it comes to my knitting, I envision a white rail fence on a farm with beautiful horses running behind it. I can enjoy looking at them even though I can ride only one at a time. There's no need to stress, or feel pressure about those that are waiting.
(Pardon the spelling - I'm practising (sic) wat (sic) my six year old is lerning (sic) in skool.(sic) )
A couple of years ago when dashing with my minions through the airport, a book caught my eye:
Creating A Charmed Life; Sensible Spiritual Secrets Every Busy Woman Should Know. It's not usually my type of book , but this time I couldn't resist on the off chance that there was actually some secret to life that I've missed.
Despite my initial skepticism, the book actually does have some good bits of wisdom. There are 
short chapters each centered around a thought about a different way to approach life. I read one a day when I can. After having read through it once, I would have to say my life is a little more charmed. Or more importantly, my eyes have been opened to all the ways it was charmed that I didn't recognize before.
short chapters each centered around a thought about a different way to approach life. I read one a day when I can. After having read through it once, I would have to say my life is a little more charmed. Or more importantly, my eyes have been opened to all the ways it was charmed that I didn't recognize before.Recently, as I worked through the book a second time, I came across a thought that has leaped out at me being both relevant to my knitting life as well as the rest of it. It's the concept of living with unsolved problems - or unknit patterns or unknit skeins of yarn.
"The ability to coexist with the unresolved has immense practical value. Without it, we can function at our best only when everything is perfect (in other words, never). Even solvable problems seldom have instant answers. Until these problems are worked through,
we share space with them." The author points to small things such as finding a problem with your bank statement on Friday night and having to live with it until the bank opens on Monday.. Or big problems like your best friend not speaking to you and refusing to take your phone calls.
This is not to say that I think of patterns or yarn as problems - but they are unresolved things in my life.
How do you deal with them? Fences, the author says. You build fences to separate them from the rest of your life.
"Dilemmas need fences to prevent them from migrating. Fencing in an obstacle means keeping it contained so it doesn't affect the rest of your life....When you have well-tended fences, one or two or a dozen things going wrong won't negate the 147 that are going right."
When it comes to my knitting, I envision a white rail fence on a farm with beautiful horses running behind it. I can enjoy looking at them even though I can ride only one at a time. There's no need to stress, or feel pressure about those that are waiting.
On a life note, it's a revelation to realize that I can mentally separate the issues. I've never been good at living with unresolved things. I'm a journalist - write it today and move on to the next thing. And now I have five unresolved problems (ie children) and a business filled with long-term projects, so it's more important than ever to be able to consciously set aside things I can't fix immediately to give my attention to what I can.
As a Christian, this is important because it means praying and then trusting that God is working on the things even when I can't. I'm okay with the praying part, it's the trusting part I'm not so good at.
The pics are from our recent snow day. It's since all turned to ice, but we had fun for awhile.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Monday, January 26, 2009
You Can't Have Your Yarn and Knit It Too
Thank you for the comments about yarn collection vs. pattern collection (see previous post and feel free to add to the discussion). Your comments have helped me figure out how I feel - I love to have yarn on hand so that if I come across a pattern I like, I can get started right away. It's hard for me to find time to shop and I don't have a lot of patience when it comes to waiting to get to a store - I'm more of the instant gratification sort (thus all the quick projects). That being said, I realized that I feel pressure to knit the yarn I have on hand and since I can't knit it all right away, I've been sort of feeling guilty. I feel now that I can relax and just enjoy having the yarn. It's beautiful to look at and I'm giving myself permission to enjoy just having it around.
Which brings me to my latest project. For Christmas last year, my cousins gave me two giant balls of yarn - the biggest balls of yarn I've ever seen. For 12 months, I gazed at them, pondered them, wondered what they should become. I wasn't sure how much was there and so I hesitated. I didn't want to get through 90 percent of a project only to find out I didn't have quite enough. On the other hand, I knew there was a lot so I didn't want to use just a little on a small project and then not have enough for something bigger.
Then the cold spell came and I had a hankering for a wide, cabled scarf. My budget was busted 
and I couldn't get to a shop anyway. So I took the plunge with the big ball. I found a great reversible cable pattern and have fallen head over heels in love with cables. By the end, I'd even mastered cableing without a cable needle.
and I couldn't get to a shop anyway. So I took the plunge with the big ball. I found a great reversible cable pattern and have fallen head over heels in love with cables. By the end, I'd even mastered cableing without a cable needle. As I knitted, the ball got smaller and smaller and smaller. That made me a little sad. Not to get too philosophical on you - but it's that way with the children only in reverse. I love what they're becoming, but I miss what they were.
So here is my ball now, next to the remaining big one for context.
Here is what we have instead of a giant ball of yarn - I will say this much, it is a lot warmer! As you can see - it is as long as I am tall. I'm told this is a good length for a scarf. I must agree.
Now, the question is - do I keep the balls intact or do I move ahead with plans for a matching hat and mittens? Hmmm......
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Found it
How do you locate a pattern for which you have been searching for hours and ranting about ad naseum? Decide to make a different pattern, of course.
I finally decided that the baby hat patter for which I was searching (see below) was gone for good, probably lost in an organizational purge. I settled for being inspired by one of the other patterns I had found - a wide striped hat with a touch of Fair Isle. After casting on and knitting a couple of inches, I paged through the magazine to find my chosen pattern and there - yes, you can see what's coming - was the pattern for which I had been searching - in the same gosh darned magazine! It's the rastafarian hat, which can, I believe, also be found in Itty Bitty knits - or see it here on site of author Susan B. Anderson.
This event has left me pondering the question - is it better to amass a large stash of yarn you love and search for the perfect pattern or to collect patterns and wait to find the perfect yarn? Please share your thoughts on your subject and pass the question around - I'm curious to hear what other knitters think.
I finally decided that the baby hat patter for which I was searching (see below) was gone for good, probably lost in an organizational purge. I settled for being inspired by one of the other patterns I had found - a wide striped hat with a touch of Fair Isle. After casting on and knitting a couple of inches, I paged through the magazine to find my chosen pattern and there - yes, you can see what's coming - was the pattern for which I had been searching - in the same gosh darned magazine! It's the rastafarian hat, which can, I believe, also be found in Itty Bitty knits - or see it here on site of author Susan B. Anderson.
This event has left me pondering the question - is it better to amass a large stash of yarn you love and search for the perfect pattern or to collect patterns and wait to find the perfect yarn? Please share your thoughts on your subject and pass the question around - I'm curious to hear what other knitters think.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Knitter's Frustration
My story starts, as most do, rather simply. I have a new niece. I saw in the store an adorable blanket and sleeper in lovely pink and brown combo. It was on sale. I figured I'll make a little hat to match. Easy enough, right?
We go to the store, the 3yo and I. We find parking right out front (an amazing feat given the lack of parking in Cambridge). We walk in and the very first yarn we pick up is perfect - it's the exact colors we need and it's superwash -- perfect for a busy mom who doesn't have time to hand wash baby hats.
It's a little on the pricey side, but it's so soft and so pretty and I had a gift certificate from Christmas. The only problem is we (I)can't choose from among the four perfect-colored skeins. We (I) decide to get all four and make two hats. (The 3yo brings over to me a $65 skein of pure Cashmere, and says, "How about this one?" Boy, does she have great taste! Yikes.)
Then I get home. Then it hits me - Now that I have four fabulous yarns, I need to have an equally fabulous pattern to match. I remember seeing one in a magazine that might be a good one - but which magazine!? I have stacks and stacks of them. I've been through all of them and I can't find it again. Aaarrrrrggghhhhhhhh! I've found about 202 other patterns I want to make (and consequently feel entirely deprived since I can't begin knitting all of them immediately). Why do I keep all these magazines? Are they treasured sources of inspiration or anchors weighing down my creativity and cluttering up my work space?
I did come across some nice baby hat patterns - but not the one I was thinking of and none of them quite special enough. I've found some other patterns on the web but in the wrong size (I know I can convert, I was just hoping to not have to.) The problem, of course, is that every hour this baby is getting bigger - I have to knit quick so she can wear it at least a day before it's too small. (Maybe I should buy her a doll that can where the hat when she grows out of it.)
On a side note - for hat knitters: in doing research for this project, I came across a purl of wisdom from the Yarn Harlot - when knitting a rolled-brim hat, it will fit better if you drop down a needle size or two for the rolled part. That explains part of my hat sizing problem.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Knitting Dreams
True Dream:
I walk into a consignment shop that has many rooms on two levels. The toothless, wild-haired woman at the front desk takes one look at me and says they have a great package of yarn in the room down the stairs to the right, but I had better hurry. My heart both races because I really wasn't expecting to find any yarn but then my stomach tightens because I don't have much money to spend so I'm worried I might find something I actually want to buy. The whole place is filled floor to ceiling with interesting looking pieces of furniture and knick knacks.
I make my way to the room she is talking about and it is piled high with textiles. Toward the back on a table there is a single bag of yarn with a sign that says "Entire contents $30. Will not be sold individually. Value over $150." I pull out a bunch of skeins of yarn when one catches my eye - silk and some other rare fiber in a lace weight. It is the softest yarn I have ever touched but it is bright red, white and blue - vivid colors as in the American Flag - not my usual palette. I sit their fondling it trying to figure out if I could dye it, knit it for someone else or even whether it's worth the money. I think it's probably value, but I don't really even have the $30 to spend. Maybe if it were $10...I wonder if I should scrimp on groceries, I could afford it - the yarn is so unbelievably soft. And just then the 3yo, who has been running a fever, sits bolt upright and says "I don't feel well."
I am no longer dreaming - I am grabbing her and making a run for the bathroom. We made it just in time. (Later DH remarked on her impressive grammar: I don't feel well vs. I don't feel good.)
After a relatively sleepless night, I'm left pondering the meaning of my dream - do I crave softer yarns? Am I feeling deprived? Should I be stash-building? Is it a sign that I should be more budget conscious?
Coincidentally, a nearby yarn shop is starting its winter sale today...hmmm.....
I walk into a consignment shop that has many rooms on two levels. The toothless, wild-haired woman at the front desk takes one look at me and says they have a great package of yarn in the room down the stairs to the right, but I had better hurry. My heart both races because I really wasn't expecting to find any yarn but then my stomach tightens because I don't have much money to spend so I'm worried I might find something I actually want to buy. The whole place is filled floor to ceiling with interesting looking pieces of furniture and knick knacks.
I make my way to the room she is talking about and it is piled high with textiles. Toward the back on a table there is a single bag of yarn with a sign that says "Entire contents $30. Will not be sold individually. Value over $150." I pull out a bunch of skeins of yarn when one catches my eye - silk and some other rare fiber in a lace weight. It is the softest yarn I have ever touched but it is bright red, white and blue - vivid colors as in the American Flag - not my usual palette. I sit their fondling it trying to figure out if I could dye it, knit it for someone else or even whether it's worth the money. I think it's probably value, but I don't really even have the $30 to spend. Maybe if it were $10...I wonder if I should scrimp on groceries, I could afford it - the yarn is so unbelievably soft. And just then the 3yo, who has been running a fever, sits bolt upright and says "I don't feel well."
I am no longer dreaming - I am grabbing her and making a run for the bathroom. We made it just in time. (Later DH remarked on her impressive grammar: I don't feel well vs. I don't feel good.)
After a relatively sleepless night, I'm left pondering the meaning of my dream - do I crave softer yarns? Am I feeling deprived? Should I be stash-building? Is it a sign that I should be more budget conscious?
Coincidentally, a nearby yarn shop is starting its winter sale today...hmmm.....
Monday, January 19, 2009
Humiliated by the Claw
We went this morning on what was supposed to be an innocent trip to the Monster Golf - this is (for the unitiated) indoor, glow-in-the dark miniature golf set in a maze decorated with images of various monsters moving to the beat of Rockin' 80s music. Maybe they figure that's a way to keep the parents mezmerized while their children play.
Next to the golf course are various video games that allow you to earn tickets that you can trade in for trinkets destined tobe be jetsom (or flotsam?) in the clutter of a child's room. The wise parent stays on the sidelines, handing out the quarters, smiling at the wins and comforting the losses. The foolheardy venture to join in the fun.
Of all the games, the one I have asiduously avoided and thus far been able to steer my children away from is the claw. I know that is the money muncher of all games. It looks so tantalizingly easy - move the claw, push a button and it drops down to grab a prize - a cheaply made stuffed animal that will end up gathering dust but at the moment looks heartstoppingly cute. You can't win, I tell my children. It's a rip-off. But today is a holiday, so I decide it's time they learn this lesson for themselves.
The 6 yo stepped up to the plate. No luck on the first try - 50 cents, plooop down the drain. Let me try just one more time? she begs. It's your money, I tell her. And what do you know? She drops the claw over a coveted pink pony and up it comes! She did it! Knock me down with a feather - she got the very one she wanted and on just the second try. Maybe this isn't so hard afterall. (Can you see where this is headed?)
Now the 3yo wants a try. Mommy figures if the 6 yo can do it.... I carefully position the claw over the desired fish. Drop, drop, drop...right to the fish. the claws close in. Yes! We've got it. But no. The fish is round and slips right out of the side of the claw! Now it's in a really good spot. We have to try again. Drop, drop, drop...right to the fish. Same as last time - bloop it slips between the claws. Lets try for another one? Again, the claw is positioned perfectly. It grabs around the animal, but the slippery animal slides right off the claw. After way too much money was wasted, I finally tore myself away. I just couldn't stay away, however. So close! Thankfully, by the time we went back, the machine was busted. It wouldn't take in anymore quarters. I was saved from myself. After that, we concentrated on the games that spit out at least a few tickets no matter how poorly you performed.
In the end, we had a grand total of 128 points between the three of us. This was enough to get
1 pink monster finger puppet
1 Chinese finger trap
1 tiny Pirate spy glass
2 glow plastic bracelets
3 "poppers" (very tiny pieces of stiff rubber in a cup shape)
Honestly, these silly little toys made the girls as happy as any stuffed animal from the machine would have.
Me? I think I've learned my lesson....send dad to the arcade.
Next to the golf course are various video games that allow you to earn tickets that you can trade in for trinkets destined tobe be jetsom (or flotsam?) in the clutter of a child's room. The wise parent stays on the sidelines, handing out the quarters, smiling at the wins and comforting the losses. The foolheardy venture to join in the fun.
Of all the games, the one I have asiduously avoided and thus far been able to steer my children away from is the claw. I know that is the money muncher of all games. It looks so tantalizingly easy - move the claw, push a button and it drops down to grab a prize - a cheaply made stuffed animal that will end up gathering dust but at the moment looks heartstoppingly cute. You can't win, I tell my children. It's a rip-off. But today is a holiday, so I decide it's time they learn this lesson for themselves.
The 6 yo stepped up to the plate. No luck on the first try - 50 cents, plooop down the drain. Let me try just one more time? she begs. It's your money, I tell her. And what do you know? She drops the claw over a coveted pink pony and up it comes! She did it! Knock me down with a feather - she got the very one she wanted and on just the second try. Maybe this isn't so hard afterall. (Can you see where this is headed?)
Now the 3yo wants a try. Mommy figures if the 6 yo can do it.... I carefully position the claw over the desired fish. Drop, drop, drop...right to the fish. the claws close in. Yes! We've got it. But no. The fish is round and slips right out of the side of the claw! Now it's in a really good spot. We have to try again. Drop, drop, drop...right to the fish. Same as last time - bloop it slips between the claws. Lets try for another one? Again, the claw is positioned perfectly. It grabs around the animal, but the slippery animal slides right off the claw. After way too much money was wasted, I finally tore myself away. I just couldn't stay away, however. So close! Thankfully, by the time we went back, the machine was busted. It wouldn't take in anymore quarters. I was saved from myself. After that, we concentrated on the games that spit out at least a few tickets no matter how poorly you performed.
In the end, we had a grand total of 128 points between the three of us. This was enough to get
1 pink monster finger puppet
1 Chinese finger trap
1 tiny Pirate spy glass
2 glow plastic bracelets
3 "poppers" (very tiny pieces of stiff rubber in a cup shape)
Honestly, these silly little toys made the girls as happy as any stuffed animal from the machine would have.
Me? I think I've learned my lesson....send dad to the arcade.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
In Praise of Pecans
My momma came for Christmas. She brought Pecans. I'm not sure why - maybe for cookies that we never got around to making. What I didn't know is how much I was missing by not having pecans in the cupboard! I just passed over recipes with pecans without a second thought, but suddenly, I was free to include them in my contemplation of what to cook! And wow, what a wonderful addition!
We started with the cinnamon roles that I made before without pecans. They were okay, but with the pecans, they were out of this world fantabulous. The recipes calls for them to be cooked in muffin tins. Last time, I skipped that step and ended up with flat, spread-out rolls that the kids wouldn't touch. This time, I put the in a 13x9 pan, which kept them together and allowed them to properly rise. Thankfully, the kids loved them and saved me from myself!
Next was the nutbread with a struessel topping. You can make a streussel topping without pecans, but it doesn't really compare.
And finally, came the salmon with a pecan glaze. DH of a dozen or so years said it was quite possibly the best recipe I've ever made!
Here it is:
Spread 1 cup of pecans on a flat pan and place in a 375 degree oven for 10 minutes.
Melt 1/2 stick of butter in a small sauce pan. Add 1/3 cup of honey, 1 tablespoon of dijon mustard and the pecans. Let cook for ten minutes. (You could add a little extra dijon mustard to taste)
Meanwhile, heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil and 3 tablespoons of butter in a frying pan. Season salmon with pepper and salt and cook until flaky - about 5 minutes per side. Top with pecan glaze, serve and enjoy the compliments.
We started with the cinnamon roles that I made before without pecans. They were okay, but with the pecans, they were out of this world fantabulous. The recipes calls for them to be cooked in muffin tins. Last time, I skipped that step and ended up with flat, spread-out rolls that the kids wouldn't touch. This time, I put the in a 13x9 pan, which kept them together and allowed them to properly rise. Thankfully, the kids loved them and saved me from myself!
Next was the nutbread with a struessel topping. You can make a streussel topping without pecans, but it doesn't really compare.
And finally, came the salmon with a pecan glaze. DH of a dozen or so years said it was quite possibly the best recipe I've ever made!
Here it is:
Spread 1 cup of pecans on a flat pan and place in a 375 degree oven for 10 minutes.
Melt 1/2 stick of butter in a small sauce pan. Add 1/3 cup of honey, 1 tablespoon of dijon mustard and the pecans. Let cook for ten minutes. (You could add a little extra dijon mustard to taste)
Meanwhile, heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil and 3 tablespoons of butter in a frying pan. Season salmon with pepper and salt and cook until flaky - about 5 minutes per side. Top with pecan glaze, serve and enjoy the compliments.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Shameless bragging
Please indulge me in some gushing. After years of talking about wantint to write a book, DH actually did. I've mentioned it before, because I just can't stop talking about it. I'm so proud of him and I want it to do well. Plus I think it's a great book. But, of course, I'm totally biased. Here's proof that it's not just me:
This is a review of the Race to Save the World's Rarest Bird, by Alvin Powell
available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
A race that couldn't be won
By Mike Leidemann Special to the Star-Bulletin
POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Jan 11, 2009 I missed my bus stop. Even though this book starts by telling you the ending -- the bird, the po'ouli, is going to go extinct -- somehow I got so engrossed in the story that I kept right on going through downtown Honolulu on the No. 56 bus when I was supposed to get off near Fort Street Mall.
Powell, who lives and works in Massachusetts, says he was inspired to write this chronicle of a Hawaii bird that was discovered and lost in the last 30 years after reading a short newspaper article.
"There's something wrong with this," he thought. "Surely, we humans must acknowledge the passing with something more than just a couple of paragraphs."
Maybe in Hawaii we do take such passings too lightly. After all, there are more endangered and threatened species here than anywhere else in the country. But we hear little about the heroic work that is being done to change the situation. Great efforts are being made, millions of dollars are being spent and heroic (and sometimes mundane) battles are being fought every year to change this tide of extinction. But how much do we even hear about these struggles going on in our rain forests or even our own back yards?
Powell's gift to Hawaii is to trace the story of the po'ouli, which was first discovered in the 1970s in some of the wettest, most remote parts of eastern Maui.
Full review
More knitting coming - this cold spell me hankering to knit very warm things as fast as I possibly can!
This is a review of the Race to Save the World's Rarest Bird, by Alvin Powell
available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
A race that couldn't be won
By Mike Leidemann Special to the Star-Bulletin
POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Jan 11, 2009 I missed my bus stop. Even though this book starts by telling you the ending -- the bird, the po'ouli, is going to go extinct -- somehow I got so engrossed in the story that I kept right on going through downtown Honolulu on the No. 56 bus when I was supposed to get off near Fort Street Mall.
Powell, who lives and works in Massachusetts, says he was inspired to write this chronicle of a Hawaii bird that was discovered and lost in the last 30 years after reading a short newspaper article.
"There's something wrong with this," he thought. "Surely, we humans must acknowledge the passing with something more than just a couple of paragraphs."
Maybe in Hawaii we do take such passings too lightly. After all, there are more endangered and threatened species here than anywhere else in the country. But we hear little about the heroic work that is being done to change the situation. Great efforts are being made, millions of dollars are being spent and heroic (and sometimes mundane) battles are being fought every year to change this tide of extinction. But how much do we even hear about these struggles going on in our rain forests or even our own back yards?
Powell's gift to Hawaii is to trace the story of the po'ouli, which was first discovered in the 1970s in some of the wettest, most remote parts of eastern Maui.
Full review
More knitting coming - this cold spell me hankering to knit very warm things as fast as I possibly can!
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Obscure knitting reference in pop culture
Have you heard about Arthur? He's walking talking animated critter (an aardvark I think) who teaches children about good, ethical behavior. We usually skip him in favor of Curious George or the Power Puff Girls. But today he appealed to the 3yo.
In today's show, he was referred to a great musician for piano lessons. A friend was warning him how hard the teacher was on students and ended with an ominous mention of the knitting needles.
The teacher ended up "firing" Arthur because he wasn't working hard enough. Arthur was at first elated and then he missed playing so he practiced real hard and tried to get back into the teacher's good graces. After playing his piece and making many mistakes, he saw the teacher get out the knitting needles. Arthur had a terrified look on his face and we were on the edge of our seats waiting to find out what diabolical use the teacher intended. Then he reached in the basket and pulled out - you'll never guess - a pair of fingerless gloves!
"I like to have my students keep their fingers warm," he said, handing them to Arthur.
Now that's what I call a great lesson!
In today's show, he was referred to a great musician for piano lessons. A friend was warning him how hard the teacher was on students and ended with an ominous mention of the knitting needles.
The teacher ended up "firing" Arthur because he wasn't working hard enough. Arthur was at first elated and then he missed playing so he practiced real hard and tried to get back into the teacher's good graces. After playing his piece and making many mistakes, he saw the teacher get out the knitting needles. Arthur had a terrified look on his face and we were on the edge of our seats waiting to find out what diabolical use the teacher intended. Then he reached in the basket and pulled out - you'll never guess - a pair of fingerless gloves!
"I like to have my students keep their fingers warm," he said, handing them to Arthur.
Now that's what I call a great lesson!
Monday, January 12, 2009
Bonnie 
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Knitting with cobwebs
I don't remember why I thought it would be a good idea to knit a giant scarf with yarn as thin as a cobweb. And not just any giant scarf - an intricate one with a delicate pattern and beads. This is the Secret of the Stole 2 (set up by the nautical knitter) I started well over a year ago. I'm 85 percent done. I was 90 percent done just two days ago, but after several weeks of ignoring it, when I went to pick it up I discovered I'd done something wrong somewhere and just couldn't fake it. So I went back a few rows. And then a few more... and then a few more!!! How distressingly easy it is to undo hours and hours of work! Zip Zoop Zut done (that's a tribute to the Froggy books, those of you with children might recognize). The reason the stole is still undone is that every row is agonizingly complicated and I know it's hours and hours from being finished. I keep setting aside for simpler projects that can be done quickly - like hats that can be done in a day :)
I'm left wondering if I am cut out to be a lace knitter. I wonder if there are just some things that some knitters aren't meant to knit. Should I just accept who I am and stick to hats and chunky scarves?
Here is what I don't like about this project:
1. There are 99 stitches in a row and every row (except for the purls) is different so there is an incredible chance for error.
2. There are 99 tiny stitches so each row takes an eternity, which means I can only get 10 (20 if you count the purls) done during an hour long show, if I don't mess up and have to tink back.
3. You have to make gosh darn sure you really love the yarn you've chosen because you're going to be spending a gosh darn long time with it. It would be tragic if half way through you start to think maybe it's not quite as pretty as you thought it was when you started.
4. The pattern is so complicated that when you mess up, it's nearly impossible to get back on track without going way back.
5. I'm still working on it more than a year after I started.
On the other hand - there is a good reason I haven't given it up - a bunch of them actually:
So here is what I love about this project:
1. It is drop dead gorgeous. I am unabashedly stunned at how pretty it is.
2. I discovered that adding beads to a project isn't that difficult and it really adds a lot of vavoom.
3. I have learned to read my knitting better.
4. I have gained patience with going backwards.
5. There is great satisfaction at reaching the end of row without error. I feel a little victory every time I get to the end with exactly as many stitches as I am supposed to have.
6. When I am finally done, I will have a wonderful, beautiful stole that will draw many comments and compliments.
I'm torn because there are so many projects I want to try that I tend to pick only things I can finish quickly. On the other hand, there is so much you miss out on if you don't take up longer projects. The problem for me is that unfinished projects hang over my head like a weight about ready to drop and I feel sort of frantic about needing to get them out of the way and not being able to. Maybe what I really need is a change in attitude. I need to accept that there are some things that are meant to just be worked on from time to time. They'll get done when they get done.
Here's my first draft of a serenity prayer for knitters:
Help me to finish the projects I should finish, give me the strength to give up on those that aren't worthy of my time and give me the wisdom to know the difference.
I'm left wondering if I am cut out to be a lace knitter. I wonder if there are just some things that some knitters aren't meant to knit. Should I just accept who I am and stick to hats and chunky scarves?
Here is what I don't like about this project:
1. There are 99 stitches in a row and every row (except for the purls) is different so there is an incredible chance for error.
2. There are 99 tiny stitches so each row takes an eternity, which means I can only get 10 (20 if you count the purls) done during an hour long show, if I don't mess up and have to tink back.
3. You have to make gosh darn sure you really love the yarn you've chosen because you're going to be spending a gosh darn long time with it. It would be tragic if half way through you start to think maybe it's not quite as pretty as you thought it was when you started.
4. The pattern is so complicated that when you mess up, it's nearly impossible to get back on track without going way back.
5. I'm still working on it more than a year after I started.
On the other hand - there is a good reason I haven't given it up - a bunch of them actually:
So here is what I love about this project:
1. It is drop dead gorgeous. I am unabashedly stunned at how pretty it is.
2. I discovered that adding beads to a project isn't that difficult and it really adds a lot of vavoom.
3. I have learned to read my knitting better.
4. I have gained patience with going backwards.
5. There is great satisfaction at reaching the end of row without error. I feel a little victory every time I get to the end with exactly as many stitches as I am supposed to have.
6. When I am finally done, I will have a wonderful, beautiful stole that will draw many comments and compliments.
I'm torn because there are so many projects I want to try that I tend to pick only things I can finish quickly. On the other hand, there is so much you miss out on if you don't take up longer projects. The problem for me is that unfinished projects hang over my head like a weight about ready to drop and I feel sort of frantic about needing to get them out of the way and not being able to. Maybe what I really need is a change in attitude. I need to accept that there are some things that are meant to just be worked on from time to time. They'll get done when they get done.
Here's my first draft of a serenity prayer for knitters:
Help me to finish the projects I should finish, give me the strength to give up on those that aren't worthy of my time and give me the wisdom to know the difference.
Monday, January 05, 2009
Knitting in the New Year
I had a wonderful Christmas, so this should in no way be seen as a complaint, but there was no yarn in my stocking. Not exactly, anyway. Well, not exactly - dh got my a gift certificate for a yarn shop. The bonus is that it's near where he works so I can have lunch with him when I use it. But from a practical standpoint, I had no new yarn on Christmas. When everyone else was playing with their new toys, I had just empty needles. It's little like getting a new toy but having no batteries for it!
To fill the void, I dug into the stash and pulled out a lovely ball of purple that was a gift for last Christmas. I have spent a year gazing at it wondering what it was supposed to be. It refused to talk. Not even a hint. But on that day it screamed at me: I AM A HAT. MAKE ME A HAT! And so I did that very night. Thick thin yarn. Big needles. Quick knitting. Even the teens approve, which is a lot coming from them. The 6yo likes it so much she wears it whenever I'm not!
Then shortly after Christmas, I got yarn. Not just any yarn. Silk and merino yarn. From California. From my great friend Allison who knows that I'm not grooving on the cold and snow of New England. The name of the yarn - absolutely true - is Summer Dreaming. It's as lovely to touch as to look at. We had no problems with communication this yarn and I. It told me right away that it wanted to be a scarf. I found the perfect pattern - a lace variation of a bias pattern that I've knit before. It was tricky to get started, but just engaging enough once I figured it out. I finished on New Year's Eve, pretty much as the ball dropped in Times Square. To celebrate the new year, I made a hat to match the scarf. I wasn't quite sure if there would be enough yarn since Santa didn't bring my the yarn meter I requested (again not a complaint - just a statement of fact). It 
felt like enough and I figured it was worth the risk. As it turned out, I had enough with just a tiny bit left over.
felt like enough and I figured it was worth the risk. As it turned out, I had enough with just a tiny bit left over. This brings me to another New Year's resolution, however. I am determined to improve my hat sizing abilities. Most of mine are too big - even my nice thick brioche hat, which should be toasty but lets the wind in. those that aren't too big are too small. I'm like Goldilocks searching for the 
"just right." I do swatch, but it doesn't seem to help. Action: keep track of needle sizes and stitch counts to get a better sense of what is happening. Hopefully this will help me "head off" any problems in the future (lol)
"just right." I do swatch, but it doesn't seem to help. Action: keep track of needle sizes and stitch counts to get a better sense of what is happening. Hopefully this will help me "head off" any problems in the future (lol)Here is why I really appreciate the name of the yarn - Winter in New England is beautiful but bone chilling and now they say another storm is heading our way - one that might (gasp) force 
the schools to close just two days after they opened!
the schools to close just two days after they opened!
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Happy New Year
I generally find myself being somewhat contemplative around the end of the year. Actually, I'm like that most of the time but at the end of the year, I have a better excuse. I like to start by looking back and noting how things went. I certainly learned a lot - like when the directions say to knit 5 inches before starting the decrease and you've knit 6 inches - you really should frog an inch even if you're on a serious knitting deadline for Christmas. You can see there results if you don't - a silly gnome-like top. So instead of 
frogging an inch, I had to frog the whole top! Silly knitter. The result was worth it - a nice rounded top that delighted the recipient.
frogging an inch, I had to frog the whole top! Silly knitter. The result was worth it - a nice rounded top that delighted the recipient. Thankfully, I remembered a lesson from years past and didn't put too many things on the "must knit" list. There were just the two hats. The pink one was finished on the ride to the party where it was handed over, but it was handed over complete. (Unlike the year I gave my dad a hat 
with the needles still in the top - I explained that I wanted to get the fit just right).
with the needles still in the top - I explained that I wanted to get the fit just right).I also tried something new this year - taking a quick inventory of my favorite projects for the year. I highly recommend that. I found the retrospective made me appreciate the projects even more. My short list includes:
green lace scarf for a friend
green lace scarf for a friend
felted pink purse for cousin
ruffly baby hat for friend
little itty bitty hats for charity
My other big lesson for the year is that it is okay to frog a UFO. Not everything that is cast on is meant to be finished. It's like taking a ribbon off a kite and letting it fly higher.
Along with contemplation of the previous year comes contemplation of the coming year. Resolutions! My expert tells me they should be lofty but grounded. They should be defined with actions. So here are my knitting goals:
This is the year of cables. I have dabbled in them but now I want to embrace them. I want to understand them and be able to create with them freely.
Action: make at least three items with cables.
Stash collection: I wouldn't call it stash busting since I believe yarn should be collected as much as it should be knit. But I do want to free the yarns that would be better used by someone else to make room for ones I love. This is challenging for a natural-born collector such as myself. I cling to possessions - even useless ones. On some level I think it makes me feel comforted to have an abundance, but it gets to the point of choking me and holding me back.
Action: Donate unloved yarns to good cause.
Sweaters. I have yarn from Italy that is intended for a sweater. I knit a sweater once. It took forever and came out only okay. I have been unable to motivate myself to make another one since. My excuse with this yarn is that I have been unable to find the right pattern. I think I have it now.
Action: Knit the Sweater!
Organization. I have wonderful supplies scattered about the house. I can usually find what I need or I make do with what I can find. Wouldn't it be wonderful to know exactly where everything is?
Action: Clean up messy knitting drawers (again)
Action: Clean up messy knitting drawers (again)
I'd love to hear about your lessons and resolutions!
May the coming year bring you many great knitting discoveries and joys along with enduring happiness in the rest of your life.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Merry Christmas
My shopping saga has ended - it was long and drawn out. There were times I was in near tears, but overall, I would have to say I had fun. Not the least bit because I was out of the house while someone else had to deal with the nuttiness that is my family. In the end, there were two crucial presents that won't show up until after the big day. But, the good news is that I was able to find replacements for both for less money!
Now, my fingers must fly - I have one last gift on the needles. Will I be knitting on the ride to the party? Quite likely since tonight will be devoted largely to wrapping all those presents I brought.
I hope your holidays are going well and that your knitting is brining you more peace than angst.
Now, my fingers must fly - I have one last gift on the needles. Will I be knitting on the ride to the party? Quite likely since tonight will be devoted largely to wrapping all those presents I brought.
I hope your holidays are going well and that your knitting is brining you more peace than angst.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
mail order snail order
I thought I would be clever this year and order most of my Christmas gifts on line. Skip the traffic, skip the congested parking lots, skip the crowded malls. It seemed like a good strategy.
But - you know how they say you have two of days to order to take advantage of the super saver rate and have your stuff arrive before Christmas? Turns out, that's not quite right. Of the 18 items I had planned to order, only 1 was expected to arrive by Christmas. My other option was to pay a gazillion dollars for two day or overnight shipping, which pretty much negated any savings I would have had from going to the store. Even to save time and money, I can't pay more for shipping than I would for the item in question!
So much for trying to be organized and on top of the game - I will be out there this weekend with the desperate procrastinators fighting for parking spaces. I can only hope that retailers' desire to dump stock will trump the consideration that shoppers are now desperate and will likely be willing to fork over more dough just to get what they need in time for Christmas! (You don't have to feel sorry for me - I really like to shop so I'm not horribly upset - just hopeful that I can find what I want at a decent price)
I did order one thing that I don't think I will find in the store. The expected delivery dates are Dec. 24th - 30th. This is for the 6yo. Do I:
A) take a chance that it will arrive but prepare a just-in-case note from Santa explaining that he couldn't fit all the toys on the sleigh and one is coming in the mail? or
B) buy an alternate present that I can return if the original arrives in the mail?
I never expected Christmas to become such a high stakes game!
But - you know how they say you have two of days to order to take advantage of the super saver rate and have your stuff arrive before Christmas? Turns out, that's not quite right. Of the 18 items I had planned to order, only 1 was expected to arrive by Christmas. My other option was to pay a gazillion dollars for two day or overnight shipping, which pretty much negated any savings I would have had from going to the store. Even to save time and money, I can't pay more for shipping than I would for the item in question!
So much for trying to be organized and on top of the game - I will be out there this weekend with the desperate procrastinators fighting for parking spaces. I can only hope that retailers' desire to dump stock will trump the consideration that shoppers are now desperate and will likely be willing to fork over more dough just to get what they need in time for Christmas! (You don't have to feel sorry for me - I really like to shop so I'm not horribly upset - just hopeful that I can find what I want at a decent price)
I did order one thing that I don't think I will find in the store. The expected delivery dates are Dec. 24th - 30th. This is for the 6yo. Do I:
A) take a chance that it will arrive but prepare a just-in-case note from Santa explaining that he couldn't fit all the toys on the sleigh and one is coming in the mail? or
B) buy an alternate present that I can return if the original arrives in the mail?
I never expected Christmas to become such a high stakes game!
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Brioche God Bless You
Is it Green or is it Blue?
My friend Allison mentioned that she was making a brioche scarf and it was like someone had said the secret word that set off a program inside of me: "must knit brioche." I'd looked at the hat in Weekend Knitter any number of times but it always seemed too complicated. Suddenly, it seemed doable. I won't lie - it wasn't easy. I had to start over several times until I finally got the hang of it. But once I got it, it was like the break through when I first got the hang of knitting. It was soothing and exhilarating all at the same time. And then it came time for the crown. I put up an honest fight, but it kicked my but! Once, twice, three times - still not looking right. I was ready to give up and knit in one color but something in me urged one more try. It was like when you look at those magic paintings where you have to cross your eyes to see the 3D image. It just made sense. The big problem, of course, was me and my inability to actually read and follow a pattern.
Now that I'm standing on top of the mountain, I will whole heartily say it was worth it. This is a fun hat to knit and it's warm - which is good since cold weather is headed our way.
Tuesday, December 09, 2008
The wonders of photo shop
The downside to having five children is that it is nearly impossible to gather them all into one room at the same time to take a Christmas card photo. It's gotten even harder as my older ones turned into teenagers who think it's lame, which is how they feel about most of what I do. I trapped them this year by taking them out to a restaurant to celebrate a birthday. After they'd ordered, but before the food arrived, I popped out the camera. There were a few groans but general cooperation - perhaps they knew the food might never arrive if they didn't comply. Getting them together was difficult, getting them to smile all at the same time proved impossible.
Thankfully, someone invented Photo Shop. And thankfully, I have a wonderful designer friend who knows how to use it way better than I do. And so we have, a nice family photo. Now for the part that I used to think was hard - getting the cards into the mail!
Friday, December 05, 2008
Knitter Spotted
This may be obscure for anyone without children, but others might recognize the show:
Fetch, Ruff Ruffman. It's a bizarre half animated/half real children's show on PBS. A cartoon dog sends real children out on missions during which they learn about the world. My children love it and I don't feel guilty letting them watch it.
So here's the knitting reference - Ruff Ruffman's grandmother was accused of sending her grandson (Ruff's naughty brother Scruffy who is in jail) a cake with a file in it.
Two children were assigned to work with the defense, two with the prosecution and two with the forensics lab.
Meanwhile, grandma knit her way through the show culminating with the miraculous act of knitting a sweater without needles when she was declared innocent.
Now, if they would haver Ruff take up knitting, that would really be something!
Fetch, Ruff Ruffman. It's a bizarre half animated/half real children's show on PBS. A cartoon dog sends real children out on missions during which they learn about the world. My children love it and I don't feel guilty letting them watch it.
So here's the knitting reference - Ruff Ruffman's grandmother was accused of sending her grandson (Ruff's naughty brother Scruffy who is in jail) a cake with a file in it.
Two children were assigned to work with the defense, two with the prosecution and two with the forensics lab.
Meanwhile, grandma knit her way through the show culminating with the miraculous act of knitting a sweater without needles when she was declared innocent.
Now, if they would haver Ruff take up knitting, that would really be something!
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
Tada
Aside from the fact that it might just be too small for the intended recipient, don't you think this hat is awfully cute? The best part is I had enough yarn! Yeah! There was even a little extra for the tassles! Yeah!
I do like the fun fur stripe - especially because it uses up a left over that I didn't have the heart to throw away but couldn't quite figure out what to do with. Here is what I learned from this project: I decided to do the fun fur accent in knit stitch with a garter stitch border on the top and bottom. It looks better with one extra row of knitting in the main color before changing to garter stitch.
I've already had requests for two more, but they're from the 3 and 6yo who pretty much want just about anything I knit.
The yarn is Knit Picks superwash - very soft and scooshy. Just keep in mind there's only around 100 yards on a skein, so you might need more than you realize.
Monday, December 01, 2008
hats off
Little baby hat = quick project, right?
Not so much, it turns out. This one is supposed to be pretty basic -knit two ear flaps, cast on stitches, knit away. Except that I decided I wanted to garter stitch the earflaps and first inch of the hat. It took way too many tries to figure out how to smoothly transition from knitting the ear flaps on straight needles to knitting the entire hat in the round.
And you know that little voice in the back of your head that whispers, this doesn't look right, it looks to small (or large)? Certainly you've heard that before. I ignored that little voice for far too many rows before reading the directions. I had cast on half of the stitchest I needed!
Then I decided it would be fun to add fun fur for a few rows. It was fun the first time, not so much the second or the third as I settled out which rows should be knit and which purled.
Finally, I'm cruising along. The brim looks great, the ear flaps match and...
(I'm sure you can see what's coming) I'm running out of yarn! It was such a little hat and it was a new ball of yarn so I didn't think to actually check the label and figure out how many yards I needed.
Tonight I will decide to a) order more yarn b) keep knitting and see if I make it or c) add in another color.
At the top of my Christmas wish list is a yarn measurer! I sent the link for one to dh so he wouldn't get confused. It worked with the swift and ball winder.
Not so much, it turns out. This one is supposed to be pretty basic -knit two ear flaps, cast on stitches, knit away. Except that I decided I wanted to garter stitch the earflaps and first inch of the hat. It took way too many tries to figure out how to smoothly transition from knitting the ear flaps on straight needles to knitting the entire hat in the round.
And you know that little voice in the back of your head that whispers, this doesn't look right, it looks to small (or large)? Certainly you've heard that before. I ignored that little voice for far too many rows before reading the directions. I had cast on half of the stitchest I needed!
Then I decided it would be fun to add fun fur for a few rows. It was fun the first time, not so much the second or the third as I settled out which rows should be knit and which purled.
Finally, I'm cruising along. The brim looks great, the ear flaps match and...
(I'm sure you can see what's coming) I'm running out of yarn! It was such a little hat and it was a new ball of yarn so I didn't think to actually check the label and figure out how many yards I needed.
Tonight I will decide to a) order more yarn b) keep knitting and see if I make it or c) add in another color.
At the top of my Christmas wish list is a yarn measurer! I sent the link for one to dh so he wouldn't get confused. It worked with the swift and ball winder.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
A novel has been born
My mc (main character) Aggie has gone to camp, gotten lost on a mountain, survived an encounter with a bear, made friends with a lifelong enemy and been rescued. We'll leave her safely at camp contemplating how to accomplish at least one thing on her list - kissing a boy.
All of this in 50,000 words written 30 hours before deadline! :)
Thank you for your encouragement! It really helps to have friends in the cheering section!
I feel like I've climbed the world's tallest mountain - okay, maybe not the tallest one - that would be actually publishing and getting on the NYTs' best seller list - but at least a very tall mountain.
Of course the work isn't over - basically what I have is a roughly formed slab of marble awaiting loads of careful carving and editing to turn it into an engaging, delightful and unforgettable story.
Now, however, it's time to start getting ready for Christmas! A ridiculously long list of knitting projects has been forming in the back of my brain. A couple of hats, a pair of socks, maybe a sweater, a doll or two? And on and on. After all, Christmas is so far away, right? I've learned my lesson in the past - I'm not going to stress. If I have time, great. If not, the shops are open until midnight these days.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Important conversation
A friend of mine who runs a major hospital in Boston has asked me to spread the word about a campaign to encourage dscussions ab--out one of the most difficult topics in the world - How do you want the end of your life to be handled. No one wants to talk about, but it's going to happen and this is a gift you can give to those who will be with you when it does. If they know what you want, then they can feel at peace knowing they are making the right decisions on your behalf. You can read more in the text to the left of this post.
Have a great Thanksgiving!
Have a great Thanksgiving!
Sunday, November 23, 2008
progress
31,023 words.
Our heroine has hoisted on her backpack and is headed up to the mountians with her fellow campers for four days and three nights to test their survival training.
Among the lessons that the leaders forgot - how to identify poison ivy, what to do in a lightening storm and what to do when you see a bear.
And did you know that water hemlock is the most toxic plant in North America?
On a knitting note - I knitted a baby hat for a friend and the other day she said it's getting too small and couldn't I please make her a new one? I could hardly be more tickled. I've cast on for those moments of the day when I need to be occupied but don't have access to a computer.
I hope all your Thanksgiving preparations are going well. I don't have to host, so I'm off the hook, but my thoughts are with all of you who are furiously cleaning and cooking or planning to cook. May all your efforts be rewarded with a great celebration.
Our heroine has hoisted on her backpack and is headed up to the mountians with her fellow campers for four days and three nights to test their survival training.
Among the lessons that the leaders forgot - how to identify poison ivy, what to do in a lightening storm and what to do when you see a bear.
And did you know that water hemlock is the most toxic plant in North America?
On a knitting note - I knitted a baby hat for a friend and the other day she said it's getting too small and couldn't I please make her a new one? I could hardly be more tickled. I've cast on for those moments of the day when I need to be occupied but don't have access to a computer.
I hope all your Thanksgiving preparations are going well. I don't have to host, so I'm off the hook, but my thoughts are with all of you who are furiously cleaning and cooking or planning to cook. May all your efforts be rewarded with a great celebration.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Writer needs inspiration
I'm past the 20,000 word mark on the 50,000 word novel. Although I have more than half to go, I feel I have crossed over the top of the mountain. Still a few peaks to go, however, and I need some help.
I need some inspiration. My story is about a 10 year old girl at typical camp in New Hampshire. Mountains on one side, lake on the other. An out of control fire on the first night consumed the high ropes course so now the campers are going to have survival training and overnight camping trips in the mountains. She also likes a boy who has been hanging around with her arch enemy - a snooty rich girl who never has to wash the toilets like the other campers do.
Anyway, I want to add some realism so I'm looking for memories. If you've ever been to summer camp, please share with me your best or worst memories of it. I'm looking for specific events as well as generalities such as how you were dismissed from the campfire or how the day was structured. I'd also be interested in hearing about any odd personalities you encountered. You can leave them in the message section or email me at jennifer.news@gmail.com. In exchange, I will send you a copy of the novel when it has been edited. If it is ever published, I will also send you a signed copy.
On a totally unrelated note - there is a great website called futureme.org where you can write a note to yourself to be delivered at a later date. I've done it twice. It is wild to hear from yourself about where you hope you will be.
I need some inspiration. My story is about a 10 year old girl at typical camp in New Hampshire. Mountains on one side, lake on the other. An out of control fire on the first night consumed the high ropes course so now the campers are going to have survival training and overnight camping trips in the mountains. She also likes a boy who has been hanging around with her arch enemy - a snooty rich girl who never has to wash the toilets like the other campers do.
Anyway, I want to add some realism so I'm looking for memories. If you've ever been to summer camp, please share with me your best or worst memories of it. I'm looking for specific events as well as generalities such as how you were dismissed from the campfire or how the day was structured. I'd also be interested in hearing about any odd personalities you encountered. You can leave them in the message section or email me at jennifer.news@gmail.com. In exchange, I will send you a copy of the novel when it has been edited. If it is ever published, I will also send you a signed copy.
On a totally unrelated note - there is a great website called futureme.org where you can write a note to yourself to be delivered at a later date. I've done it twice. It is wild to hear from yourself about where you hope you will be.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Happy Socks
I received the nicest compliment today. I wore my new stripey socks to a business meeting. My client not only noticed them, she told our designer that my socks made her happy!
I guess it was worth the months that it took me to make them. I could have gotten them done faster, but they were mainly a take along project. I'm very happy with the short row heels - this was my best attempt ever. The method that I used called for using markers rather than relying on counting - much better. I also took the trouble to make sure the stripes match. I totally support knitters who don't need to bother with that step, but for me personally, I'm happier with matching stripes.
I usually like ankle socks, but now that I'm wearing them, I think maybe longer is better for hand knit socks. Next pair - which I will cast on in December.
I'm at 18,651 words on my novel - behind, but still within hope of finishing by the end of November. It is really hard in the evening when I have just a couple of hours before bed and I have to choose writing over knitting. The reality is, this novel will never come to be if I don't and I have some characters who are demanding that their story be told.
Friday, November 14, 2008
Winter Knits
Something happened when the weather started to turn colder - I suddenly felt compelled to knit warm things. All summer I kept thinking I should make some mittens or a couple of thick scarves to get ready, but I couldn't find the motivation. Then suddenly there was this primal urge to cast on wool. First there was the hat with the lace edge and now matching half mittens. I adapted the edging pattern and then turned it into ribbing. The whole time, I kept looking at the dwindling ball of yarn making plans for what I would do if I ran out. I made two at a time using the magic loop method so at least I would run out in the same place. I had just barely enough. I'm sure there is a more scientific way to figure out if there is enough yarn for a certain project, 
but I haven't figured it out yet.
but I haven't figured it out yet.Next up is the calorimetry from Knitty 2006. I've had my eye on the pattern for many months, but always had something else to do first. I have been wearing my hair up lately and every day for the last month I've grumbled to myself as I pull on my hat that it's time to get to this pattern.
Yesterday, I finally did.
I highly recommend the pattern. It's a fun knit with short rows for shaping. And it's quick - I finished it in a day thanks to the NE Patriots pushing their game into overtime ( it would have been nice if they could also have won, but at least they showed up). I was cutting it close on the yardage for this one as well. I was going to do stripes at one end if I ran out, which I think would have looked nice. As it was, I had enough with about three yards left over. Hmmm... is that enough to at least start a pair of half mits? The yarn is Lamb's pride worsted - a totally dream to knit with.
My gauge is loose however, despite having knit 2 needle sizes down. It could be me, but I choose to blame the yarn.
And finally, I'm sharing my latest kitchen adventure. These are cinnamon rolls using a recipe from the Penzey spice site. I discovered why the directions say to cook them in a muffin pan. Apparently, they are not supposed to spread out into a sort of pancake like shape. Still, they were absolutely delicious due to the vibrant taste of the cinnamon.
The reason I was making cinnamon rolls was to try out the cinnamon, which came in a surprise box of spices from my good friend Bonnie who sews great things and knows I like to think I can cook. She has some great recipes on her site if you're looking for something new to try.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
And yet another project
It's November. For thousands of writers that means it is time to write a 50,000 word novel. Not necessarily a good one. Not necessarily one that anyone will ever read. The most important thing is to finish it by the end of the month. Then you can go back and turn it into a masterpiece.
The idea is to blast through writers block, overcome your inner editor and free the story teller.
I really don't have time to do this. And yet here I am for a second year, stuffing writing into the thinnest cracks of time in my hectic life.
I'm a writing about Aggie, a ten-year-old who has left her bustling city life behind for two blissful weeks in the forests of New Hampshire at summer camp. She's planning to finally pass the swim test so she can go to the dock in the middle of the lake, climb to the top of the camp's tall pole and kiss a boy for the first time. She's headed for way more adventure than she expected as her cabin heads up to the mountains for an extended hike.
I thought about having aliens land in the middle of camp but decided that was just a little too far out. I'm a journalist so any sort of fiction writing is a stretch for me. I have a hard time straying away from the things that could actually happen. Maybe next time.
For the record, I did not go back and edit the novel I wrote last year. I still plan to. I don't know if it's good enough to sell or if anyone else would be interested in it. I had fun writing it and I really like my main character.
What I really like about Nanowrimo (National Novel Writers Month) is the challenge to do something beyond the ordinary. It's a chance to push myself in a way that I don't get to do very often. There are times I would rather just watch television, but inevitably, once I start writing I get totally lost in the story and hours pass by.
I'm already behind - to keep the pace, you have to write 1,666 words a day. I'm at 10,591. I think I can catch up, however.
I felt like I needed to declare publically that I've taken up the challenge again. That way, I am more accountable. Hopefully, someone will be watching to see if I make it and that will make me try harder.
The idea is to blast through writers block, overcome your inner editor and free the story teller.
I really don't have time to do this. And yet here I am for a second year, stuffing writing into the thinnest cracks of time in my hectic life.
I'm a writing about Aggie, a ten-year-old who has left her bustling city life behind for two blissful weeks in the forests of New Hampshire at summer camp. She's planning to finally pass the swim test so she can go to the dock in the middle of the lake, climb to the top of the camp's tall pole and kiss a boy for the first time. She's headed for way more adventure than she expected as her cabin heads up to the mountains for an extended hike.
I thought about having aliens land in the middle of camp but decided that was just a little too far out. I'm a journalist so any sort of fiction writing is a stretch for me. I have a hard time straying away from the things that could actually happen. Maybe next time.
For the record, I did not go back and edit the novel I wrote last year. I still plan to. I don't know if it's good enough to sell or if anyone else would be interested in it. I had fun writing it and I really like my main character.
What I really like about Nanowrimo (National Novel Writers Month) is the challenge to do something beyond the ordinary. It's a chance to push myself in a way that I don't get to do very often. There are times I would rather just watch television, but inevitably, once I start writing I get totally lost in the story and hours pass by.
I'm already behind - to keep the pace, you have to write 1,666 words a day. I'm at 10,591. I think I can catch up, however.
I felt like I needed to declare publically that I've taken up the challenge again. That way, I am more accountable. Hopefully, someone will be watching to see if I make it and that will make me try harder.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Movie Review High School Musical 3
The story is simplistic and completely predictable. The songs sound about the same as the ones in the last High School Musical movies. On the other hand, there is no swearing, the dancers are fully clad and the choreography is fantastic. Another bonus: The movie absolutely mesmerized three 6-year-olds and sent the 3yo dancing in the aisle, which alone was worth the price of admission.
There are, however, few yarn items of interest - a floppy hat made of what looked to be tiny granny squares and a crocheted rainbow skull cap. Not a single scarf or sweater throughout.
Verdict? Okay if you need to entertain someone under 12; best to go with another adult so you can exchange comments a la Mystery Theater 2000 to make it interesting.
There are, however, few yarn items of interest - a floppy hat made of what looked to be tiny granny squares and a crocheted rainbow skull cap. Not a single scarf or sweater throughout.
Verdict? Okay if you need to entertain someone under 12; best to go with another adult so you can exchange comments a la Mystery Theater 2000 to make it interesting.
Saturday, November 08, 2008
Movie Review
Dh and I finally got a chance to sneak away for a movie! With all the kids and all their activities that is a rare occurance.
We were looking for something funny and not too intellectually demanding. Zack and Miri Make a Porno was the closest we could find. There were no worries about it being too intellectualy demanding but it was only so-so funny. At least there were some fabulous hand knit and crocheted items to hold my attention. The characters wore several scarves and hats throughout the movie so it became like a game - is that crocheted or knit? Most of them were made with bulky yarn. They appeared to be handcrafted, but no one in the movie was shown making them. Too bad - that would have made the movie interesting!
As it was, it's disappointingly predictable. Not worth the price of admission.
We were looking for something funny and not too intellectually demanding. Zack and Miri Make a Porno was the closest we could find. There were no worries about it being too intellectualy demanding but it was only so-so funny. At least there were some fabulous hand knit and crocheted items to hold my attention. The characters wore several scarves and hats throughout the movie so it became like a game - is that crocheted or knit? Most of them were made with bulky yarn. They appeared to be handcrafted, but no one in the movie was shown making them. Too bad - that would have made the movie interesting!
As it was, it's disappointingly predictable. Not worth the price of admission.
Sunday, November 02, 2008
Halloween Happiness
The costume indecision lasted right up until the night before Halloween! In the end, the 6yo rediscovered her old witches hat and decided that it would be perfect. Due to the earlier costume plans, she ended up being a witch with pink-tipped hair.
The littlest one had multiple parties so she was a
cowgirl, a cheerleader and for the actual day, a butterfly princess - she was supposed to be just a butterfly, but was upset because people kept saying she was such a lovely princess. The easiest remedy was to change the label of her costume and shove a candybar in her mouth! Cause in the end, it doesn't matter what the costume is - the candy tastes the same.
You can only imagine my surprise when I heard said 6yo rummaging in her candy bin the next morning at 6 a.m.
"What are you doing?" I asked.
"My homework," she said as if I should have known.
Her assignment was to count all of her Halloween loot, sort it and make patterns. It was amazing
how interested she was in school work when it involved candy. She got 72 pieces while trick-or-treating. That doesn't include the stash she grabbed while walking down in the center of town.
She wants to be catwoman next year, she told me today. I'm tempted given the sales, but then again - I'd have to remember where I put it and then there's the fact that she changed her mind 60 times or so this year!
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