Buxkranzl

Happy Blog-A-Versary

I have been blogging for two years. Wow, I am sitting here remembering how it all started - Secret Pal Swap requirements. My friend Amy had asked me once, when we were discussing her felting of clogs, if I blogged. I was totally clueless. But I thought, why would I want to do that, I talk to myself enough as it is. But then I explored a bit and discovered swaps, podcasts, Blogger, Flickr and well the rest is history in the making. I must share something that touches me on this two year Blog-A-Versary. The very first podcast I listened to was about crocheting and Jeannie sounded so friendly and made the knit-crochet-crafting community feel so welcoming that I e-mailed her. And she gave me my first Podcast shout out.

Crochetcast

Episode 6 Crochet Felting

Jeannie has been offline for awhile and I have wondered and worried, you know how easy it is to lose your web friends? Here today gone tomorrow Error 404 ?!?! But I refused to let go and kept her on my bloglines, and I was thrilled to see she is blogging again. She has been through some valleys, y'all know how that goes! But she is back with us so everybody send her a big electronic hug. Now if I could just hear something from Shannon in Japan, and if JustLindaOnline Knitting would stop playing and get back on the mic all would be right with my little world.


FLASHBACK *** MEMORIES
Aw yes, back in the days before socks and lace. When I knit actual garments.
;P

Tally Ho Vest JSS #29 Trendsetter Yarns
Designed by Jane Slicer Smith

www.sigknit.com
Baruffa Merino’s Otto Color 300 Chocolate
100% Extra Fine Merinos
Size #8 Needle
For Me :D
Notes: This came out great but I did have to add one addition button at the
bottom.

Garter Ridge Cardi
May 2006 Creative Knitting Magazine
Designed by Scarlet Taylor

www.creativeknitting.com
TLC Cotton Plus #3859 Navy - #4 Medium
51% Cotton 49% Acrylic
Sizes #6 and #8 Needles
For my Mother for her birthday.
Notes: This sweater is more like a jacket. It is much heavier than I
expected a cotton sweater to be. It worked up really fast and there was minimal finishing.

Sassy Shrug
September 2006 Creative Knitting Magazine Designed by Elizabeth Freeberg
www.creativeknitting.com
Self Striping Yarn
Noro Kureyon Color 128
100 % Wool - #4 Medium
Size 10 Circular; Size 8 Circular; Size 8 dpns
Gift for a friend.
Notes: This worked up so fast and came out so beautiful that I immediately
started making another one. I would not use Noro again however.

YARNGASM!!!!

That title should be in flashing lights and smell like chocolate. I have my Wollmeise Sock (not bloody likely) yarn in hand. The Hollerstaud'n is a rich mix of berry colors ranging from Rasberry to Blackberry. The Buxkranzl is the greens of Augusta during the Masters. This is the most gorgeous yarn ever - and considering I have a fair amount of Wollmeise in my collection already, that is really saying something!!! It makes me shiver it is so - je ne sais quai, it makes me speechless.

There is no way this yarn will be walked on, I am knitting something for much higher on the body. Gloves, scarves, a Forest Canopy Shawl - but something that will definitely be SEEN. There is a metric ruler which was included to protect the DPNs during shipping, which as a inch-to-metric conversion challenged knitter, I really appreciate. The Holz Stein needles are beautiful, the wood is chocolate and caramel swirls/grain. Lovely. Although I find this yarn too precious for feet, I will definitely be knitting the I Mog Di sock pattern by BockStarkknits. I will probably use Shi Bui, Louet or Sundara yarn instead of this unbelievable Wollmeise. I kid you not, I moaned for several minutes when I pulled it out of the package. I was so thrilled that is contained two different colorways and at 574 yards, there are so many options, so many patterns, so little time!!

Turning Corners

I have turned the heel on Sock 1 in Smores Memories and I am almost finished with the border on the Celtic Knot Stole. I decided to go ahead and work the border since the body of the stole was substantial enough to have something to hold onto while working that crochet cast on row. So now when I get to the other end and knit that border I will be completely finished. My Spring Thing Shawl is very pretty in the Zephyr Sable. I think it will look really lovely with my chocolate brown cashmere winter coat.

We got our cruise documents and I am beyond excited. I went out and bought new luggage. I had so much trouble getting my oddly shaped Joy Mangano piece in the cabin closet last cruise that I had to buy a traditional set. I got a 6 piece set with the 28" and 24" expandable pieces. I should be able to fit souvenirs in by expanding them on the way home. I like the hanging toiletry bag too, very handy. I bought it in a bright primary blue color and I am going to permanent marker my name on the bottom. All luggage looks alike to me so I need a little visual assistance in locating my own.

For some reason I could not get into blogger dashboard last night, busy web night I guess.

Big Bummer, my Wollmeise sock club shipment came Saturday - WHILE I WAS OUT buying luggage. My Roomie is going to go to the PO and pick it up for me today. Geez, timing is everything I was gone less than two hours. On top of that I had a very bad experience at Barnes & Noble. I usually love my B&N, but the staff that were there Saturday were wholly unpleasant and the magazine I went for was not on the stand yet.

ANTS are taking over. My poor puppy, his Dingo treat was totally covered with ants when he came upstairs last night. Although he is supposed to be a hunter warrior dog, he came whining to me. So I put down my knitting, pause my audiobook, and go and see what is freaking him out. No problem, I grab the treat, go and rinse it off - washing the little colony down the drain. I wait a few minutes then I see a few more sneak out of the twists and rinse again. I go out in the hall - no pup pup, I go back in my room no dog to be found. He went back downstairs and back to sleep. So I popped his Dingo into a snack bag and tried to remember he gives me unconditional love when I have bad days and you should never kick a dog when he's down (or sleep).

I'd Rather Be Knitting

I started another pair of socks. I have some Knit Picks Memories sock yarn in my most favorite colorways, Smores and Yukon. I have knit several pairs of socks already in both colorways but I gave them away. I have finally cast on my very last skein of Smores and this pair of socks in MINE MINE MINE.

I abandoned the Mystery Bag sock yarn thing. I have to confess the reason I had never knit up those yarns before is because I like my other sock yarn better. I hate this Koigu on size 1 needles!! Give me medium or heavy weight Socks That Rock or just about any kind of Knit Picks, and I will warm your toes!! Sometimes I feel like I am talking to myself here and then voila I get a comment. So I want to ask y'all, even you lurkers, are there rules to destashing that prevent you from selling yarn already in center pull balls or bricks? The mystery bag yarn mentioned above for instance. I have created bricks with all of the skeins in preparation of knitting socks, but I don't want to any more. But I don't know if anyone would buy yarn that is not in it's original condition. I have the tags and all but I am not sure. I will probably look around the Ravelry destash and in-search-of (ISO) forums and see what the deal is.
I have some pretty nice ones left, some could be repurposed I guess. Let me know your thoughts.

Mystery Sock Yarn Bags as of 08/04/08
UPDATE ON THE MYSTERY SOCK YARN BAGS:
2. Fearless Fibers Colorway Tiger's Eye - Superwash
5. Four Seasons Hot Socks Colorway Tapestry - Virgin Wool, Nylon
6. Knit Picks Risata Colorway Ash - Cotton, Wool, Nylon, Elite (cotton is my one KP exception)
9. Fleece Artist Colorway Amber - Merino Wool 2/6
10. Koigu KPPPM - ON THE NEEDLES Colorway 305-256 Purples - Merino Wool
11. Dream in Color Smooshy Colorway November Muse - Superwash Merino
12. Woolly Boully Softie Sock Colorway Fishing With My Father - Superwash
15. Cherry Tree Hill Supersock Colorway Tropical Storm - Superwash Merino
17. Claudia Hand Painted Yarns Colorway Thistle - Merino Wool
18. Interlacement Tiny Toes Colorway 203 Blue Green Purple - Superwash Merino
19. A Swell Yarn Shop Duet Sock Yarn Colorway Deep Blue Sea - Superwash Wool DK

Peaks and Valleys. I finished off many UFOs during the summer - but instead of wanting to finish off more UFOs I want to start EVERYTHING!!! I joined three more KALs. I am anxiously awaiting the next 2008 Year of Lace, Rockin' Sock Club and first Wollmeise Sock Club deliveries. I have prepared my charts for the Spring Things Shawl. I bought some really pretty yarn - OF COURSE. My goodness, I wish I could be at home knitting right now!!!

I realized recently that I need to make some adjustments in my crafting and entertainment set up. I have canceled my subscription to Audible and will be cancelling my Netflix subscription. Netflix was okay when all I was knitting was socks, but now that I am knitting lace I notice that I only listen to the movies now. And if the movie is entertaining and I keep looking up from my work I end up tinking. So no more Netflix. Audible is about $15 for one book credit, they have sales and deals, and you can get a plethora (I love that word ;} ) of audiobooks at a great discount. That is all well and good if you actually listen to them. I have six books in my Audible library that I have not gotten around to yet. I try to listen to them at work, but it seems like the only time someone wants something is if they see I am listening to a book. So no more Audible. There's also the fact that audio files are huge and I have to burn the audiobooks to CD to keep my hard drive clutter free. A major PAIN. When I am all caught up on Audiobooks I will listen to more podcasts.

I think that is about all that is interfering with my knitting at home. Now how to figure out a way to get more knitting time away from home . . . hmmm

Shake Shake Shake

We just had an EARTHQUAKE!!! It was a very good one, lots of shaking. I am not sure where the epicenter was, I don't have on a television. I am listening to audiobooks and catching up on Ravelry forums.

Everything happens for a reason!! I was "supposed" to go through my yarn stash over the three day weekend. I killed not one, but TWO MOTHS a couple of weeks ago. I freaked out and swore I would personally finger every strand of Socks That Rock and Wollmeise in my collection. But I read, watched Netflix, knit and crocheted instead. Today I received a Ravelry message requesting to buy or trade some Sundara from my stash. I did not want to say yes without locating it first - SO - that meant going through my Yarn Collection. I worked up quite a sweat considering it is 90+ degrees here after 8:00 p.m. Anywhoo, it was in the bottom bin in the corner, and at the bottom of that bin. I had to pull it out of the corner after removing all of the bins and knitting books, patterns and project bags that live on top of it. But there it was a perfect skein of Sundara Black over Violet yarn, nicely protected in a plastic ziplock next to a lavendar sachet. Mind you this meant I had gone through every single storage bin of yarn to find this skein. Why is it that what we are searching for is always on the bottom of the last pile we lay our hands on? So I login to Ravelry and go to Messages to let the person know I have the yarn in hand and would be willing to send it off to her, and there, in my inbox is a message from her that she has gotten the yarn she needed from someone else. ALL I can say is, at least I know I have no MOTHS in my yarn collection, and that is one less chore I have to do this weekend.

Squee, I just got an e-mail from Donna Druchunas!!! I am so going to add her to my Star Struck post.

Pretty Patterns & Techniques Too

I received three new books from Knit Picks today:

Shawls Two, On The Go - Sixth&Spring Books. Ya know, I don't think I have Shawls One, if not I will be ordering it soon. This book is off the hook. So many great patterns.

Ethnic Knitting Discovery by Donna Druchunas re The Netherlands, Denmark, Norway and The Andes. Very timely since I will be doing color stranded projects soon. Another goodie by Donna, love that woman. I really enjoyed Artic Lace, and this book is even more . . . je ne sais quai. She gives you background, technique, patterns stitch definitions and repeats, resources - EVERYTHING. She even goes over VERY SCARY STEEKS. Yep, there is a reason why that word ends with eeks!! But Donna walks you through it all, no worries ( yeah right - you cut yours first).

Knit With Beads: Stunning Shawls & Wraps by Scarlet Taylor Okay this one is just pretty. The shawl that struck me as a must knit is not even lacey. It is the Hounds Tooth Stole, oh my goodness. My sister has Hounds Tooth gloves, I must knit her a matching scarf - JUST MUST!!

All three books contain great information on techniques and design. You can easily adapt the projects to something you want to make. I will probably only knit one project from each book "As Is". I will use them more for reference guides or jumping off points.

While I was shopping the books I went ahead and ordered a set of size 6 Harmony tips, the locking stitchmarkers I cannot seem to get through a pair of socks without and some 32" and 40" cables to use as lifelines in my lace knitting. I found the technique on KnittingHelp.com and it worked like a charm. I have only (knock on wood) had to use a lifeline once, but it was a pain picking up laceweight yarn from cotton thread. So, on my current project I put the Knit Picks Harmony tips on a 40" cable, knit a row, screwed on the end caps and moved the tips back to the 24" cable I was working with. However, unlike the thread lifeline, I am moving the cable up after every milestone. I also used a KP cable for the invisible cast on, so when time comes to begin the knitted on border, I will have no stitches to pick up, I just need to move the needle tips to go live with that cable. I HEART KNIT PICKS!!!!! They make knitting so much more fun and enjoyable with all of these wonderful tools.

Lace and Crochet

I have mostly been working on my crochet by numbers portrait and celtic knot stole the past few days. There are some really good completion prizes for the Secret of the Stole iii Hint 3 this week, but there is no way I can knit that fast. The pattern has a lot of SL1, K2TOG, PSSOs in it which always slow me down and are a pain to tink. So I am going really slow on that project. I added some new yarns to my stash in Ravelry. I went ahead and listed the individual Alice Starmore Hebridiean colorways from my Glenesk kit and the Blue Moon Fiber Arts yarn that I bought - finally used my discount coupon from the Rockin' Sock Club. I earned another Loopy Ewe $25 bonus, I think I am going to buy patterns this time. I earned it purchasing some new colorways of Baruffa Cashwool and a skein of Perchance to Knit. I am going to knit another dimple shale scarf in one of my new yarns, and perhaps a narrower feather and fan stole in the Barrufa Cashwool. Everything is coming along nicely as fars as my WIPS go, but I found two more Ravelry Lace Groups that have enabled a huge surge in the number of projects I have queued. I even got to demonstrate knitting two socks on two circular needles to a previous knitter. I am always surprised when someone who used to knit is amazed by circurlar needles. I taught myself to knit using straight and circular needles, so I never realized that circular needles were anything new or out of the ordinary. But at least three times now, past knitters have asked me about circular needles and where they are sold and such. Funny. It's like showing a kid a rotary phone I guess - reverse technology shock.

Star Struck

I grew up in San Francisco and some pretty spectacular people live, work or pass through here. I met someone from our Chicago Office today and she mentioned a local politician, and I said oh yeah I went to high school with his daughter. Then we moved on to cold weather and she mentioned Prince, and I said my Minnesota cousins know him - they grew up in the same neighborhood.
Have you ever stopped to think how many people you have met in your life before, during or after they became famous? Again, being from San Francisco this happened to me a lot. I met Michael Douglas and Karl Malden during the filming of The Streets of SF in the school located across the street from my house. I met Clint Eastwood at a charity golf tournament. Robin Williams' oldest son (from his first marriage) went to school with a family friend, she was in Mrs. Doubtfire. Danny Glover's nephew went to Junior High and High School with me.

My Mom was a Legislative Advocate and worked with a lot of politicians in Sacramento. I went to school with their children. My high school, Washington, honored past attendees/graduates which included Lee Merriweather and Maya Angelou. They walked around the school before the ceremony, chatting with the students. SF has always been a popular TV and Film location, and musicians have always hob nobbed with the locals. Sports figures feel comfortable shopping and eating out. So my path has crossed many a famous foot print.

I decided - for posterity that I will list all of the famous and infamous people that have gone through my life, because it's pretty awesome to think about now. I know there are some I have forgotten . . .

Joseph Alioto
George Moscone
Willie Brown
Leo McCarthy
Leo Ryan
Andrew Young
Diane Feinstein
Clint Eastwood
Danny Glover
Jennifer Tilly
Nicolas Cage
Marsha Warfield
Robin Williams
Sharon Stone
Michael Douglas
Karl Malden
Bernie Casey
Jocelyn Elders
Bob Love
Phil Smith
Frankie Avalon
Martin Yan
Randy Cross
Keena Turner
Jerry Rice
Jessie Sapolu
Mia Sara
Anne Archer
Anne Rice
Jayne Kennedy
Mario Van Peebles
Barry Bonds
Byron Williams
Rod Smith
Phillip Epps
Cliff Odom
Ramos McDonald
Gene Washington
Stacey Latishaw
Stephanie Mills
Jeffrey Osborne
Carlos Santana
Tito Puente
Celia Cruz
Bubba Merrill Knight
Run DMC & his possee
Jeff Lorber
Anita Baker
J.R.R. Tolkien
Lee Merriweather
Maya Angelou
Evander Hollyfield
Laurel Burch
Valerie Coleman
Doris Chan
Lily Chin
Carol Ventura
Beth Reinsel
Vicky Howell
Kim Werker
Cathleen Sams
Darla Fanton
Nancie Weisman
Nancy Nehring
Eartha Kitt
Cast Members of Ain't Misbehavin'
Several Members of the Alvin Ailey Dancers
Chief Justice Malcolm Lucas
Don Mitchell
Pernell Roberts
Dean Edell
Donna Druchunas

Who do I still wish to meet or get close to?
Ernie Hudson
Avery Brooks
Paula Deen
Susie Orman
Steve Young
Don Johnson
Bruce Willis
Galina Khmeleva
Cptn. Blake Painter
Vin Diesel
John Sandford
Goldie Hawn

Wollmeise Sock Club 2008-2009

I WON THE LOTTERY

Yep, I am one of the lucky few who will be enjoying the very first Wollmeise Sock Club memberships. I cannot begin to tell you how excited I am. It begins in September. There are four deliveries of two skeins each. Including a sock pattern designed for the colorways. There will be a theme to every shipment and related goodies such as stitch markers. The very first package will include a set of Holz und Stein double-pointed needles. We are way past gummie bears now y'all!!!! I love the thought of getting needles, stitchmarkers, patterns and yarn from Germany. These are items I would never be exposed to or able to buy otherwise. I will treasure every single item. I will be stalking the postal person next week, I am so thrilled to have gotten into the club.

http://www.wollmeise-sockclub.de/

Unfortunately this means no Socks That Rock Rockin' Sock Club 2009. I just cannot see subscribing to both at this time. I have enjoyed two years of Rockin' Sock Club, so next year something new. The Wollmeise Sock Club and the Sea Socks Cruise in June.

What's New?

I recently finished SIX projects. Thanks to the UFOlympics I felt compelled to pull out all of my projects and decide which ones could be finished off and which ones will need large blocks of time and concentration to complete. I have resumed working on my Koigu Purple socks. I cast on the September project for the Beginners Lace Ravelry Group, The Celtic Knot Stole.




I am on row 19 of my Crochet by Numbers portrait. And I am about half way through the Secret of the Stole iii Hint 1. So, although I finished 6 projects, I began 3 new ones.

Bad Blogger No Cookie (A)

I have been so bad this week, I have been in Ravelry all week. You know how in forums you see just 5 topics and the number of unread messages? Well I try to catch up on those each time I log in. This week I started clicking INDEX on some of my lace groups - and oh my needles. There are a bazillion discussions out there from my Life-Before-Lace knitting. I have added probably 20 patterns to my queue. Bought a dozen patterns. Faved a hundred patterns and projects. Added several new friends. Hmph, I thought the sock knitting addiction was bad, this is off the hook! But in a return to sanity - I Hope, I have received a special project from Europe. It is not lace and it is not sock related. I am not going to put it in my project queue. I am going to wait to see how it goes, because frankly I am scared to death. I keep trying new things and so far I am happy with my progress and success. However, I may bite the pooch on this one. We will see.

you are a member of 31 groups

UFOlympics Events Completed

I completed my last UFOlympics event, the Andean Treasure Fog Feather and Fan Lace Shawl Marathon. This was really boring at the end and I hit the wall - but as I watched the last ball of yarn diminish I managed to keep myself going.

THEN there was not quite enough yarn to bind off, I had to un-bind the bind-off and the previous row of stitches - UGH! But it is all done and all the ends are woven in.

Finis! Another GOLD Medal performance.

Going for the GOLD

I completed my first event. Women's Sock x2 With Stripe Relay and I won a medal. Yay. I have one remaining event, the FFS 400m Marathon. Wish me luck.






Knit Picks Felici
Colorway: Clay
Pattern: 2x2 Ribbed Stockinette Sock
Size: Women's Medium
Needles: Harmony Circulars US Sie 2 2.75 mm with 24" cable

3:08.24 ~ Sweet SWEEP

The U.S. men's 4x100m free relay team won gold -- Michael Phelps, Garrett Weber-Gale, Cullen Jones and Jason Lezak -- set a world record, finishing in 3:08.24.

Come on - it's takes most people longer than that to take a deep breath!!!! They were awesome!!!

The Women's Fencing team gave the U.S. its first three medals in Beijing, sweeping the women's sabre. The team consists of seven athletes, three each in sabre and foil and one in epee. Mariel Zagunis (Sabre) , Rebecca Ward (Sabre) , Sada Jacobson (Sabre) were outstanding.

And I thought I was good with pointy sticks, amazing sweep. Overall we're doing well in the medal race.

FOUR FINISHED PROJECTS

Dimple Shale Lace Scarf

Pattern: Dimple Shale Lace Scarf
Designer: Knit Picks Design Team
Yarn: Andean Treasure 100% Baby Alpaca
Colorway: Lagoon
Yardage: 660 yards (6 50 gram balls @ 110 yarns)
Needles: Harmony US Size 7 4.50 mm circular needles with 24" cable

www.KnitPicks.com

Adamas Shawl

Pattern: Adamas Shawl
Designer: Miriam Felton
Yarn: Zephyr Heather Main Line 2/8
Colorway: Peacock
Size: 80" across 40" neck to point
Needle: Harmony US Size 5 3.75 mm with 24" and 36" circular cables
Added 2 additional repeats.
http://www.mimknits.com

Japanese Feather & Fan Shawl

Pattern: Japanese Feather and Fan Shawl
Designer: Izzy
Yarn: Regia Silk, Merino and Polyamid
Colorway: Off White
Style: Circular
Needles: Addi Turbo US 6\cast on and off with larger size needles
Yardage: 3 50 gram balls @ 200m

Very nice drap, and wraps nicely.

IzzyKnits.blogspot.com

Shi Bui Socks

Yarn: Shi Bui Superwash 100% Merino
Colorway: Rapids
Yardage: 291 yards
Needles: Harmony US Size 2 2.75 mm
Size: Women's 9
Pattern: Ribbed~Sockinette

www.ShiBuiKnits.com

Keeping TRACK

08/08/08
Completed 6.25 repeats of the Feather & Fan Fog Shawl (FFFS) during the opening ceremonies. Oh MY GOD, the opening ceremonies were phenomenal!!! They walked on air!!! The sheer numbers of performers was mind boggling. I love the parade of nations, that is one of my favorite parts of the Olympics. GO USA!!!

08/09/08 My DSL is down.- probably because a bazillion people are streaming the olympics from NBC.com. I switched from the Options to the Harmony Needles on the FFFS, the options were irritating my carpal tunnel scar.

New Stuff - a Girl's got have her stuff!!!

Magazines
Creative Knitting May 2008
Cast On May-July 2008
Crochet! July 2008
Knitter's Spring 2008 K90
Spin-off Summer 2008 - free trial. I don't think I will subscribe.
Vogue Knitting Spring/Summer 2008
Interweave Crochet September 2008 - Must make the Diamond Sage Wrap designed by Jill Wright page 26
Vogue Knitting International Fall 2008 I am looking forward to reading the article SCHOOLHOUSE ROCKS, A Tribute to 50 Years of Inspiration about Elizabeth Zimmermann. Must download the pattern for Twinkle Twinkle Little Star designed by Libby Grant from www.Elann.com - ad on page 10

Books
Wrapped in Comfort, Knitted Lace Shawls
I Can't Believe I'm Lace Knitting
Best of Interweave Knits
Couture Crochet Workshop
Knit and Purl: Harmony Guide
Lace and Eyelets: Harmony Guide
Knit So Fine
Crochet Lace
50 Sensational Crochet Afghans & Throws
7-Day Afghans Revised

Yarn - I won't be adding these to my Ravelry Stash, I have more than enough pictures of yarn in Ravelry and Flickr!
Swish Worsted in Black, Truffle and Cashew for the Pillow Ghan/Scarf
Red Heart Classic in White, Blace, Eggshell, Tan, Warm Brown, Med Brown, Coffee for Crochet Portrait
Red Heart Super Saver in Cafe - for Crochet Portrait

Yarn Used
KP Andean Treasure 100% Baby Alpaca in Lagoon for Dimple Shale Scarf 6 balls @ 110 yards each 660 yards
Shi Bui Superwash 100% Merino Sock Yarn in Rapids colorway 2 skeins @ 191 yards about 100 yards left used 291 yards

Patterns
Pillow Ghan by Knit Picks Design Team
STR RS Club Cleopatra's Stockings by Yarnissima
STR RS Club Sweet Tart Anklet by Marilyn Kaleikilo aka Hot Flash
STR RS Club Gumdrop Socks by JC Briar
Slow Bee Mystery I by Monika Eckert
Slow Bee Mystery II by Monika Eckert
Mystic Meadows by Anna Davi
Anniversary Mystery Shawl by Renee Leverington aka Goddessknits
Charmed Floral Fantasy Shawl by Madison St. John
Tiger Eye Lace Scarf by Toni M. Maddox
Harbour Lights Shawl by Sivia Harding
Heartland Lace Shawl by Evelyn Clark

My computer is mind numbingly slow without DSL, pictures and chatter when the server is back up.

Starting Ceremonies

I am SO ready for the starting ceremonies and the beginning of the UFOlympics!

My qualifying rounds went superb and I have a new personal best record. I finished my Shi Bui socks, and the two shawls. I finished my Dimple Shale Scarf last night, bringing my finished objects total up to four.

This pattern is so simple and it is a free Knit Picks download. The pattern calls for four balls of yarn, and that is exactly what it took. I have a golf sized ball of yarn left - perfect.


Everything will be on the podium and photographed as soon as the sun peaks out this weekend. Now I am going for the Gold. My Socks That Rock Project bag is on the field and as soon as the opening ceremonies begin tonight I will be working on the Felice Clay socks.

My new Ravelry friend Professor Poppy reminded me of how much I love the fair isle knitting of Alice Starmore. I have several of AS's books and I have made up a few patterns, one of them ended up being a scarf. I had only been knitting a few months when I knit the scarf and my stranding was pretty tight. Blocking failed to fix it. Then I got addicted to socks and never went back to fair isle. I came across Ann Feitelson's audiobook The Art of Fair Isle Knitting and listened to it last night. I had read AF's book, but listening to it while I finished my scarf was nice. Since Crazy Aunt Purl got me hooked on the Deadliest Catch, some of the stories about the Norwegian fisherman's sweaters and men being lost at sea leaving their families to survive on their knitting profits was much more real to me. Coincidentally I had just watched the DC epidsode in which the Big Valley and 5 members of her crew were lost.

I did a Google search on Alice Starmore to see what was out there and was glad to find she is still selling yarn and kits on Virtual Yarns. I finally got to see Henry VIII after listening to David Reidy on Sticks and String podcast describe how much he enjoyed the process of making it. That is one gorgeous sweater and I would give anything to have one, but that's not in my skill set yet. So I ordered the Alice Starmore kit for the Glenesk Cardigan.

I selected this kit for a couple of reasons [1] I prefer cardigans to pullovers, I like to be able to take a sweater off if I get hot. I am of an age when this is very important ;p [2] The pattern appears to be made up of just 4 colors, much lesst yarn to keep up with and control throughout. [3] Fewer colors means weaving in ends will be less complicated, there will always be a matching area of color to weave an end into. [4] Size, Alice builds a lot of ease into her designs because she wants them to be comfortable and worn a lot. [5] Needle size, this pattern is to be knit on US size 7 needles 4.5mm, my absolute favorite needle size for sweater knitting.


I received my shipped/confirmed e-mail this morning so it's on it's way. I have no idea when I will get started on it however, because I still have 4 of 5 shawls to finish and 12 pairs of socks to knit.

Lace Blocking

Lace blocking is so much easier to do with blocking wires. I am blocking my Japanese Feather and Fan Shawl and my Adamas shawl this weekend. The JFF is a major pain in the patoosie because it is circular and does not fit my blocking surfaces. But OMG is it ever beautiful all spread out. The Adamas is a pleasure and a piece of cake because it can be folded in half and wires threaded through both of the straight edges. I only had to pin out the points. They could actually have been wired too. The Adamas is also pretty - however I was distressed about the amount of peacock dye that bled into the Eucalan soak water. I was afraid to wrap the wet piece in a light colored towel. I will take pictures some time soon. I will definitely knit both of these patterns again. I came across a link to another shawl designed by Izzy which I hope to cast on in September. The pattern is written, no charts, but it is well done. If I run into any problems as I go along, I may take the time to create charts.

I am now trying to finish the Dimple Shale Scarf and my Shi Bui Rapids socks. I have until Friday, 08/08/08 [I love that date!!] when the UFOlympics begin. I chose the Fog colored Feather and Fan and the Knit Picks Felici Clay colorway socks for the UFOlympics. If I manage to stay on track, that will be six finished objects. Cool. I should have my yarn for my Crochet by Numbers portrait by the time the Olympics end Aug. 24, 2008. I am an extremely fast crocheter so I think that project will go fast. I do need to get used to the way the pattern is written, but past that it should be a quick project. I still have many socks and lace in WIP to complete. I also want to be able to wear my Kenobi Jacket and Bookworm Vest this fall, so they are a top priority.

Danger Danger Danger - I killed two moths Friday. I have four days off coming up - I am going to check all of my yarn to make sure none of them have gotten into my stash collection. I did rinse a dead moth out of the Adamas shawl. Hopefully they were only involved with that cone of yarn and project - I left it out exposed every day because I was working on it every night.

I just got the greatest Loopy Ewe hooded sweatershirt and Handcrafted one of kind Atenti Harvest knitting bag. The Atenti bag is so heavy duty I am going to use if for my carryon for the Panama Canal and Sea Socks Cruises.












UGH!!! I have lost the password for the Heere Be Dragone shawl pattern and I cannot open the file. I cannot find my e-mail receipt, which I am sure said something like - keep this in a safe place because you will need it to use the pattern 8{ I may have to buy the pattern again - shoot.

You may have noticed that I am getting a lot of knitting projects done. I would have to say that the Carpal Tunnel Surgery was a SUCCESS. I no longer get any cramps or finger tip pain. Thanks Dr. Luo, you are on the scarf list for Christmas!!!

Japanese Feather & Fan Shawl

I finished my Japanese Feather and Fan Shawl, designed by Izzy.
Domo Arigato Izzy for a great pattern!!
I need to block it and it will be presented to the recipient.


Project Notes:
Started 7/11/08 Finished 7/27/08
Yarn: Regia Silk #002 soft white colorway I used 3 1/2 50g/200m balls
Needles: Knit Picks Harmony 4mm/US Size 6

The pattern charts only show the right side of the shawl, you knit the charts in reverse on the left side (changing K2TOGs to SSKs, etc.)
Chart 3: Row 75 there are 3 repeats. Row 89 there are 4 repeats. The charts don't show the new repeats.
Chart 4: Rows 109, 111, 113 there are SSKs missing before the Purl stitches.



I love the fit and drape of the shawl. I would like to make this pattern again.

Clearing the Decks

I am almost done with the Japanese Feather and Fan Shawl. I have 30 rows left on the fourth and final chart. I love this pattern. It did not come with instructions and the third chart is missing a repeat section. There are several Ravelers that made the shawl and they were able to clarify the confusing sections for me. Izzy got me started in the right direction and they kept me going. I want to finish this shawl before the UFOlympics begins. I would also like to put the border on my Adamas Shawl. That would be two lace projects completed - whohoo.

I just finished listening to two really good audiobooks, Broken Window by Jeffrey Deaver and The Disappeared by Kristine Rusch. I still have two parts to listen to of The Eight by Katherine Neville, unfortunately the reader's style gets on my nerves after about 30 minutes. Especially when she is doing the main character. I probably should have just reread the paperback!

I have a new favorite tool - Pattern Tamers !!! They rock. The Etsy shop is out of stock right now but there are several online sources. Just Google it. I bought mine from the Loopy Ewe.

Mending and Knitting

My hand is healing well. The scarring is minimal. The carpal tunnel incision area is still sensitive. I cannot turn a door knob or a key, or use the blow dryer - but everything else is doable. The thumb where the tumor was removed is completely normal looking and I have not had any problems.

So . . . I am knitting my needles off!!! I have completed 16 repeats of the Adamas shawl. I could start the border and finish it off. But, I am using a cone of Zephyr Main Line 2/8 so I want to use as much of the yarn as possible. I think I can do at least 18, maybe even 20 repeats before I start the border.

While catching up on the Ravelry Forums I discovered a wonderful little shawl by Izzy, called the Japanese Feather and Fan Shawl.

I could not resist. I cast on when I got home Friday night and I am almost done with the second chart. It is a great pattern. I am making it for Pam. She has given me some wonderful hand made jewelry and I had promised her a trinket chair. But the turning of the arms of the trinket chair became too painful so I never made one for her. The Japanese Feather and Fan shawl is very pretty and I thought of her immediately, I think she will like it.



My Sister and I had another day out together. It was so nice. The weather was perfect, we found everything on our lists. We had Barnes and Noble's coupons and gift cards to spend - just a really lovely day. Our B&N Cafe Barista made the perfect Mocha for her and the perfect Caramel Machiatto for me. Then we went out to brunch and gossiped. We also celebrated, she just got a new job and will be working in San Francisco. This will be the first time we worked in the same city since we worked for Dun & Bradstreet in the 70's. I gave her my iPod mini for her commute. She has always worked where she could drive to work - but that's not convenient in the SF Financial District so she will be taking BART. The tunnel under the Bay Bridge alone calls for some kind of noise abatement. So I gave her my mini. I love "toys" and since I use my iPod Touch now the mini had been abandoned in a drawer.

I bought several Interweave Press Hurt Books and I cannot wait for them to come. I know it was only about three weeks, but it seems like I was cut off from knitting forever. Now I cannot get enough. I even pulled out my mystery sock bags that I need to complete for the 52 Pair Plunge. Oh my, when I look at my sock wip pictures on my sock blog I blush. I have not finished a pair of socks since MARCH. I might have to look at a pattern when I pick up the gusset on my next pair 8} I registered for the Sea Socks Cruise 2009 today. My Mom and I have been planning a trip to the East and never quite made it. Royal Carribean is our preferred cruise line, so when I saw the ship was RCCL Grandeur of the Seas and they had Superior Balcony Staterooms it was a done deal. We are sailing next June. Mom does not knit and she only wears her handknit socks for special occasions but she will enjoy the ship and the ports of call. And I, yes it's all about me - again - I will end up getting TWO goody bags.

I made my final decision for the UFOlympics. I am going to finish my Clay Felice Socks and my Feather and Fan Stole - both are of Knit Picks yarns. I still want to finish my vest and lots of my socks, but these projects have really been neglected.

I really need the shawl for the artic air conditioning at work and I am dying to see what the stripes are going to end up looking like on the Clay Felice socks. I have several more skeins of Felice in my stash.



Okay, my posts are getting fewer and longer. Note to Self: adjustment needed . . .

Catching Up

I have been listening to podcasts and reading Ravelry Forums. It is so nice to be getting all caught up on the knitting/crocheting world. I recently read a fun needlecraft mystery you may want to check out. If you want to read it let me know and I will mail my copy out to you [first come first served on that]. There is a cake recipe and a crochet pattern included at the end of the book.


UFOlympics August 8 -24, 2008








It is time to start thinking about my UFO for the UFOlympics 2008. I have lots of Unfinished Objects to choose from and I want to start another pair of Monkey Socks. I am a cheerer and clapper so I know I need to pick a project that will not suffer from being thrown aside occasionally. Socks are good, because a couple of rounds can be completed during commercial breaks. I have a vest and sweater project too that are mostly stockinette on larger needles. Either of them would be good for this challenge. I started them around the same time so they are both pretty old WIPs.

The Bookworm Vest probably has the best chance of being completed in 2 weeks time, it is knit all in one piece. I have to knit the pockets and shape the armholes and it is pretty much done. There are a ton of stitches per row but it is primarily stockinette.

The Kenobi Jacket has a variety of stitches. I still have to knit the sleeves and both front panels of the Kenobi Jacket. I may not be able to finish it in 2 weeks but I really do want to start wearing it this fall. Maybe I can get the sleeves out of the way, the unfinished part would be the just the two front panels.

On the Mend

June 9 - surgery went well. Recovery room staff lost my Mom, and I was the one on drugs, really!!!! Finally got home and got a cup of coffee. I felt really good. Then dinner time came and I could not hold a fork or spoon and dropped lots of things from my usually-out-of-work left hand. But at least I had the rest of the week off to look forward to.

June 10-15 - not so much fun. I could not read, books were too heavy and awkward with one hand. Could not play sudoku - my 3s and 5s look the same when written with my left hand, and the rest of the numbers never quite ended up in the center of the square. No knitting or crocheting. Day time TV makes my skin crawl and Netflix turnaround time was just not fast enough. It was the only time in my life that I managed to sleep more than the dog!!! Also, I forgot to mention the temperature was between 94 and 104 degrees every day. Highlight - I totally know how to take a shower with a sock (no, not a wool one) and a plastic bag rubberbanded to my right hand.

June 16-19 back to work. I went to Starbucks for coffee since I cannot tear open the little sugar packets with one hand. I had to eat lunch out because my frozen lunches made my tote bag too heavy and awkard getting in and out of vanpool one handed.

June 18 - my birthday was wonderful. I received the most amazing roses and my Mom made me Lobster Thermidor and a Chocolate cake. YUmmmy. I also received many wonderful greeting, e-cards and Ravelry birthday wishes. Fabulous. I am a glorious 49 and can't wait to hit 50 next year and join AARP.

June 20 - I couldn't make it through the whole week, and took off Friday.

June 23 - my post op appointment was kinda interesting. I think he took the sutures out too soon though. Anywho I was taken off work until June 30. I have tons of projects, and deadlines and it's month end - but hey, I only have one right hand. If it does not heal properly there won't be another month-end or anymore completed projects. So I took a deep breath and let the work worries and stress release. And since I was being charged vacation time for June 24 - June 30 I told my teams to stop e-mailing me questions and passing on horror stories.

June 25 - my Mom had a birthday. I did what decorating I could do. She would not let me cook anything but we had fun. Needless to say she got a gazillion birthday cards from far and near and phone calls all day long. But, oh dear, my Uncle George FORGOT his baby sister's birthday. She stayed up until 12:30. But he was her first call the next day, bless his heart. I told her to cut him some slack, he turned 75 in May. She's still only 73 and she forgets birthdays now too.

July 1 - back at work and blogging. I have overdone it a bit and I have a cramp in my hand. I can knit again, I worked a row on some socks with size 2 needles and I did not feel anything anywhere. I cannot write for more than a few words with a pen or pencil - hurts too much. I can type without any adverse affects, but mousing more than 5 or 10 minutes hurts. I will finish my day by catching up on some legal articles. Tomorrow is another day, and I am on the mend.