tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-360475902024-03-06T22:38:13.243-06:00psammeadred's blogpsammeadredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15766727501720382469noreply@blogger.comBlogger110125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36047590.post-24605354036730556252014-01-18T16:12:00.001-06:002014-01-18T16:12:42.266-06:00And I thought eight months was a long hiatus.Try four years.<br />
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And I thought a lot had happened in eight months! Well, let's see. About four months after my last post, I met a guy.<br />
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And three hundred sixteen days after we met, this happened.<br />
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A year after that, almost exactly down to the moment we said "I do," we had this picture.<br />
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Yup! I'm a wife and a mommy now! Our little boy ("Bug") is now fourteen months old and SO STINKING CUTE. Not that I'm biased or anything. I have to say, being a mom is definitely the hardest thing I've ever done, but it's also the most important. God has really blessed me with a wonderful family.<br />
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Other significant events in the last four years include:<br />
going to Jordan to meet my now-in-laws<br />
going to Ireland on our honeymoon (I'm convinced there is not a bad view in the country)<br />
watching my baby brother say "I do" to the girl he'd been dating for six years (FINALLY!!!)<br />
having a research experiment I ran be the cover picture of a scientific journal<br />
going to Canada for my sister-in-law's wedding <br />
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So, knitting.<br />
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I had way more time to knit when I was working in the research lab than I do as a stay-at-home mom. In the lab, I would often have days where I had absolutely nothing to do. (Of course, then the next week I'd be there until 9 or later.) So I got a LOT of knitting done - I once finished three sweaters in a month! Now I'm doing more kid knitting, so the projects are a lot smaller, and I'm doing well to finish a sweater in two months. My projects at the moment include a hat out of Malabrigo Rastita in Indiecita (love this color!) and the Great American Aran Afghan in Plymouth Encore. This is my Mount Everest project. Why knit it? Because it's THERE. And it's fun so far. I finished my first square today (thank you, Bug, for naptime!), and it's the perfect mix of near-instant gratification (I think it took a week or less) and intense concentration (I'm looking at you, "increase 28 sts evenly across the row of 48 sts").<br />
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I don't know if I'll keep this up, but I felt like updating my blog today. Unfinished e-projects bug me as much as unfinished "real world" ones. psammeadredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15766727501720382469noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36047590.post-58727759391379934172010-01-30T14:49:00.004-06:002010-01-30T15:47:13.484-06:00It's been a while.And by "a while," I mean about eight months. Wow. A lot has happened in that eight months!<br /><br />On the personal front...<br /><br />1. I bought my first home. Kind of scary, but good at the same time. Now I can put yarn WHEREVER I WANT!!! Of course, a mortgage cuts into the yarn budget a bit, but the feat of moving all my yarn convicted me a bit of how much yarn I actually have. Quite a bit - including a bunch that I'd forgotten.<br /><br />2. I survived my first blizzard! Oklahoma got slammed with an honest-to-goodness blizzard on Christmas Eve. Thankfully, none of us was hurt, although my dad did have to spend Christmas Eve in a Best Western. But not-at-Christmas-Eve Dad beats injured Dad any day.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3u8_EnCm2R3a8EdkCeGNZxh9gAmx4DSXWscn26nWRdk8lDMhHhrvBLkhzar1GrHbQc0Hqv-wpsUtUB7FYRKNrliHBLtq8u2qmvJngvoN-XJiXhB_W_eVcU_Q0RG9VQNwyHY6m_Q/s1600-h/Blizzard3.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3u8_EnCm2R3a8EdkCeGNZxh9gAmx4DSXWscn26nWRdk8lDMhHhrvBLkhzar1GrHbQc0Hqv-wpsUtUB7FYRKNrliHBLtq8u2qmvJngvoN-XJiXhB_W_eVcU_Q0RG9VQNwyHY6m_Q/s320/Blizzard3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432646860434322274" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxB9JfJuwtdlnSkiUdwf6gY40hCdWiPLLCmQy12uzYMyenqXKM85jxQiXEhpnIyiekEBJ-oOnX-HTQ1ZFHY4oCzsBSdrgMIWfEaiEV_orGuC1TJkZB2Ujizu-BD3fEDFEnkdo0xg/s1600-h/Blizzard1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxB9JfJuwtdlnSkiUdwf6gY40hCdWiPLLCmQy12uzYMyenqXKM85jxQiXEhpnIyiekEBJ-oOnX-HTQ1ZFHY4oCzsBSdrgMIWfEaiEV_orGuC1TJkZB2Ujizu-BD3fEDFEnkdo0xg/s320/Blizzard1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432646849777381954" border="0" /></a>(can you see where the street's supposed to be? Yeah, neither could we - or anyone else.)<br /><br />3. I became a momma to two furry boys - Gus (the long-haired one) and Bertie (the short-haired one). They came home from the kitty rescue at the beginning of December. They have got to be the most clever and loving cats I've ever met - but they also love playing with my yarn. If I turn my back for more than about five seconds, they've dragged something around the house for me to wind back up. Last week, they took a nice tidy ball of Baruffa Cashwool (1,400 yards of laceweight wool) and wove it through the foot board of my bed. That night, they also opened up (I kid you not, I counted!) 169 tabs of Firefox help. They've also figured out how to open a find window in Firefox and knock over the recliner (onto the tile floor in the middle of the night).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix4k1xxC1bLCVCbk6a2hT4-quoKkDu81aohkGKXjHt98yPEJQXIzmAkBUzLKHJddeNsLy8QuyuRXDsvw8xVJvJg-QRzNyPzjcRB-igBQivUaKObbGfXGfK66iDuqdkwBc_QEW1pw/s1600-h/IMG_2251.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix4k1xxC1bLCVCbk6a2hT4-quoKkDu81aohkGKXjHt98yPEJQXIzmAkBUzLKHJddeNsLy8QuyuRXDsvw8xVJvJg-QRzNyPzjcRB-igBQivUaKObbGfXGfK66iDuqdkwBc_QEW1pw/s320/IMG_2251.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432650459033954738" border="0" /></a><br /><br />On the knitting front...<br /><br />1. I had the incredible opportunity to test knit several patterns - three for friends, and one for a yarn company.<br /><br />First up:<br /><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/tamarack">Tamarack</a>, by Amy Duncan<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivmiIICsOr-pswMf4NseP4cQeXXM9gZ3Bz7r8QZxo30N8z7yKuLrYiWnFULbi7p9PPqMjub5niQH4b1wkATUyIO6JKOx9YRBPi2Wu4EvwsyRANAw9lKOGe64ONz4q0NrPOsn8ZjA/s1600-h/Tamarackb+3.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 276px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivmiIICsOr-pswMf4NseP4cQeXXM9gZ3Bz7r8QZxo30N8z7yKuLrYiWnFULbi7p9PPqMjub5niQH4b1wkATUyIO6JKOx9YRBPi2Wu4EvwsyRANAw9lKOGe64ONz4q0NrPOsn8ZjA/s320/Tamarackb+3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432646866914893074" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This is a super-cute hat from less than a skein of Malabrigo. It comes in a more-slouchy and less-slouchy version, and I knit the less-slouchy, which was perfect for me. The pattern is fast and entertaining, and I get lots of compliments when I wear it - which is often, this winter!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/clothilde">Clothilde</a>, by Kristen Hanley Cardozo<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggOFxhKtxfSVxTOAi_AahzhfkFIrWn6ks6616u54XXImLsMYYBfd5uRWf87h9ifaa_1IGBxRS_GaLAVZJd-ETrjbv6H-YX-2ubk7YNyxBJXWsv3k4agGkBo1qSqAvDnUnDnqaVdw/s1600-h/Clothilde+blocking.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 154px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggOFxhKtxfSVxTOAi_AahzhfkFIrWn6ks6616u54XXImLsMYYBfd5uRWf87h9ifaa_1IGBxRS_GaLAVZJd-ETrjbv6H-YX-2ubk7YNyxBJXWsv3k4agGkBo1qSqAvDnUnDnqaVdw/s320/Clothilde+blocking.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432646878558029618" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This is a simple but gorgeous shawl from less than a skein of Malabrigo sock yarn. I used the Solis colorway, which is the most beautiful vivid blue-green colorway I've ever seen. Every once in a while, I would have to stop and admire the colors! The pattern is stunning.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/goes">Goes</a>, by Melissa Leapman<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxoFNur5HiFIqWPkZt-CqIJPpXc1eQTEwgpEGwjbLDX952ptt0O8lX_PPXXt7basoWL4Mv-HcpJ42JwAlraFU-M5Palg6whxAdczucm1MU97R9QhKaGBb_WYV3Bll8vLP93ZEDMg/s1600-h/Goes+finished.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 288px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxoFNur5HiFIqWPkZt-CqIJPpXc1eQTEwgpEGwjbLDX952ptt0O8lX_PPXXt7basoWL4Mv-HcpJ42JwAlraFU-M5Palg6whxAdczucm1MU97R9QhKaGBb_WYV3Bll8vLP93ZEDMg/s320/Goes+finished.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432646886715885394" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This is a test-knit from Malabrigo Book Two. (Is anyone else noticing a pattern with my yarn choices?) It was my first seamed sweater, and I have to say, seaming is rather...painless, surprisingly. (Malabrigo PSA: If you don't know if you'd want a sweater from Malabrigo worsted, think of this: you know how soft and fuzzy a sweatshirt is when you put it on for the first time? That's a Malabrigo sweater - forever. Mmm...warm and cozy, yet not stifling.)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/mythica">Mythica</a>, by <a href="http://okc.typepad.com/">Beverly S.</a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKm9L2nO4ItZ_DJ5frWab20N4KHzTQVHvZC7IYQ8ELDSC34EJVGNlBHqMFEAGEJiv1bzygXwPJE5uHStn07d0z0VQ7hmlUdHYD7qMhyphenhyphenX86aeX9v9El8tTlmhTHJlMLxK7dKxHB3w/s1600-h/Mythica2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKm9L2nO4ItZ_DJ5frWab20N4KHzTQVHvZC7IYQ8ELDSC34EJVGNlBHqMFEAGEJiv1bzygXwPJE5uHStn07d0z0VQ7hmlUdHYD7qMhyphenhyphenX86aeX9v9El8tTlmhTHJlMLxK7dKxHB3w/s320/Mythica2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432650452332375106" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This vest had lots of firsts - first vest, first applied i-cord, first grafting cables...all of which were very clearly spelled out in the directions. It's a very flattering pattern - I knit a size with about 3" of negative ease, and it looks great! (Modeled pictures will be forthcoming when I get a mirror. Did I mention that my cats broke my one long mirror?)<br /><br />2. I have knit lots of socks. Socks, socks, and more socks. I love my knitted socks! Everyone should knit socks! (Not that I'm obsessed or anything.)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiODvI_1jBAk50nDKFrYhrciFdUe0pktDsLYx5h4UhwIOWBntR_1T_qvZNiD-KDGr8hZyf10JPX7yorc1o0-G_o_T7mA6XGybdKRNZsgfGRRTgm1a-Eyq2Y6lGY0nBj83j4GcJ9Pw/s1600-h/Vilai1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 308px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiODvI_1jBAk50nDKFrYhrciFdUe0pktDsLYx5h4UhwIOWBntR_1T_qvZNiD-KDGr8hZyf10JPX7yorc1o0-G_o_T7mA6XGybdKRNZsgfGRRTgm1a-Eyq2Y6lGY0nBj83j4GcJ9Pw/s320/Vilai1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432650443081818978" border="0" /></a>Vilai by Cookie A., in Jojoland Melody Superwash<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_T5SI0fTYlj0Rdf7aR7cjc877E3-OBEDIozBViddrJvhbfWKzY-efICVOeShLJshHDl8nF0HXlmRc_pxPTSc_cCZNhOUz_3X3KE-39zMZFqLPGMm4EsBiBVO_BO_MLDENp18ssg/s1600-h/Bearfoot3.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_T5SI0fTYlj0Rdf7aR7cjc877E3-OBEDIozBViddrJvhbfWKzY-efICVOeShLJshHDl8nF0HXlmRc_pxPTSc_cCZNhOUz_3X3KE-39zMZFqLPGMm4EsBiBVO_BO_MLDENp18ssg/s320/Bearfoot3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432650433596839810" border="0" /></a>Basket Check Socks by Charlene Schurch, in Mountain Colors Bearfoot, Tamarack colorway. (I've been drooling over this yarn for years, since the first time I visited the <a href="http://www.gourmetyarnco.com/">Gourmet Yarn Company</a>. The colors glow like an oil painting!)psammeadredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15766727501720382469noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36047590.post-73060639512894488902009-05-08T13:14:00.003-06:002009-05-08T13:17:40.137-06:00Not dead yetI'm not dead. My computer, on the other hand...R.I.P. little laptop. You served me faithfully for six years, needing only a hard drive and CD drive change three years ago. But alas, it is cheaper to replace you with a desktop than to kit you out again.<div><br /></div><div>My new computer should be here today (!!!!!!), and boy, do I have some fun new toys to show all three or so of you who read this!</div>psammeadredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15766727501720382469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36047590.post-19946000744736902009-01-13T09:23:00.005-06:002009-01-13T13:47:13.442-06:00In which I learn some thingsLessons from knitting:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg06KPdnh1-CpZmGMmgOe93XLRwhbc7vt7EivT7Rtgdz9KEUcPuP-5edL9267Ed3HOg5Uw7EUcM_3zM4uQw3ean9lm7wlmc9rhzHS9In-YlqlxOVuzKlkhk6UjGg1RV0lr33lW2LA/s1600-h/Wicked+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg06KPdnh1-CpZmGMmgOe93XLRwhbc7vt7EivT7Rtgdz9KEUcPuP-5edL9267Ed3HOg5Uw7EUcM_3zM4uQw3ean9lm7wlmc9rhzHS9In-YlqlxOVuzKlkhk6UjGg1RV0lr33lW2LA/s320/Wicked+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290802392567464562" border="0" /></a>1. Negative ease can be my friend. Being 5'3" means even size small sweaters sometimes swamp me. (Alliteration is, apparently, also my friend.)<br />2. Short-row bust shaping is also my friend, even if it means putting a mauve stripe where I would just as soon not have a mauve stripe. (If I had to do it again, I'd start the short rows as soon as I took off the stitches for the sleeves and use two balls of yarn to avoid the giant mauve stripe.)<br />Pattern: <a href="http://www.zephyrstyle.com/catalog/item.cfm/2367447/3974522">Wicked</a> (although I misplaced the pattern halfway through, hence the not-quite-matching sleeve widths that I need to redo)<br />Yarn: Patons Soy Wool Stripes in Natural Earth - about 770 yards (!)<br />Needles: US 7<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLVinq2Eccz7-mR9AyeB0lmbpuPSrTk3vkzrJ4Q43nsIRDwe1yn8Pv7GT1m2a8c84fmO4kUZWr891BlRmfbONy9hXld3KEMNgkvyP6R9UgA1__mjOhrP28J9xxth6QngI7T-kzNQ/s1600-h/Quant+closeup.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLVinq2Eccz7-mR9AyeB0lmbpuPSrTk3vkzrJ4Q43nsIRDwe1yn8Pv7GT1m2a8c84fmO4kUZWr891BlRmfbONy9hXld3KEMNgkvyP6R9UgA1__mjOhrP28J9xxth6QngI7T-kzNQ/s320/Quant+closeup.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290802397518561938" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghTsZC-qglJB3g9Maj7yVNCbB7IoCGrFdzh3B-NrmT-yyTFL81hTOaqm_vMquPgtcTqKU_O7Z007b1xO-EEQq8BEto3f9hs-i5a7Bse4-m9oIsGCH_HnbWjjyDkKNTB1Wp4Jzzaw/s1600-h/Quant+colors.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 101px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghTsZC-qglJB3g9Maj7yVNCbB7IoCGrFdzh3B-NrmT-yyTFL81hTOaqm_vMquPgtcTqKU_O7Z007b1xO-EEQq8BEto3f9hs-i5a7Bse4-m9oIsGCH_HnbWjjyDkKNTB1Wp4Jzzaw/s320/Quant+colors.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290802398171730482" border="0" /></a>3. Entrelac is a little bit like magic, especially with striping yarn.<br />Pattern: <a href="http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter07/PATTquant.html">Quant</a><br />Yarn: a partial ball of Noro Silk Garden, color 226 (I think) that I got in a guild swap<br />Needles: US 5, because this pattern makes a pretty big headband<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi28mQ5NDeSSkCpzodetyR58RZDyAmsqdn9NXdgcI7KEgPfe65StdlCV0Zor1dcjHpfr4TKP6Ld5V42xhrXkzLRoByJm-TrXHjs4od42oQoDrA-O2gTjO47E9NEd5lULl6T6ebJdg/s1600-h/Black+worsted+Malabrigo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi28mQ5NDeSSkCpzodetyR58RZDyAmsqdn9NXdgcI7KEgPfe65StdlCV0Zor1dcjHpfr4TKP6Ld5V42xhrXkzLRoByJm-TrXHjs4od42oQoDrA-O2gTjO47E9NEd5lULl6T6ebJdg/s320/Black+worsted+Malabrigo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290802406115786034" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXafey-j0IlI84YArHZkqD-k_v4TdPTxm2bQ17wF9c4x0eLShcUeeydDKjTNKqJiU_9L5-JIJCRnSVFk6uaYxd0t3plzATks2p4KVPiOay7s0E3X7oopluoceFrZOpbmuFaJ9Neg/s1600-h/Apple+Green+Malabrigo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXafey-j0IlI84YArHZkqD-k_v4TdPTxm2bQ17wF9c4x0eLShcUeeydDKjTNKqJiU_9L5-JIJCRnSVFk6uaYxd0t3plzATks2p4KVPiOay7s0E3X7oopluoceFrZOpbmuFaJ9Neg/s320/Apple+Green+Malabrigo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290802405879768946" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6qhiY6NPunUapjT-WU7QPbB7NvvNQburE-2r2U70gTByaS_OIOEbGOMO-DwZUqKro1MNDr2RqU-jWNT4JsuPE9UVtylxRSOxKHJyMdhyphenhyphenY_gexQLQjwsxr1qQpW3ZfWd1d3LeS0A/s1600-h/Red+Happy+Feet+wound.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 245px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6qhiY6NPunUapjT-WU7QPbB7NvvNQburE-2r2U70gTByaS_OIOEbGOMO-DwZUqKro1MNDr2RqU-jWNT4JsuPE9UVtylxRSOxKHJyMdhyphenhyphenY_gexQLQjwsxr1qQpW3ZfWd1d3LeS0A/s320/Red+Happy+Feet+wound.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290804845206192050" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhctfwURBRztlsGDBtCnoYZOQ0SLN2dVw5jJINobxq02ywh3kjU-WaonISyoTEkJGR71Daw4MYNf6cmhOq3jzUConucID8XPnJQg6tHBchGcwMq6Yev3xDLJaR2RX9bYNcFmh9kYA/s1600-h/Blue+Happy+Feet.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhctfwURBRztlsGDBtCnoYZOQ0SLN2dVw5jJINobxq02ywh3kjU-WaonISyoTEkJGR71Daw4MYNf6cmhOq3jzUConucID8XPnJQg6tHBchGcwMq6Yev3xDLJaR2RX9bYNcFmh9kYA/s320/Blue+Happy+Feet.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290804839325461218" border="0" /></a>4. Yarn makes a great Christmas present; so do gift cards to purchase yarn.<br />From the top: 5 skeins of Malabrigo worsted in black, 5 skeins of Malabrigo worsted in apple green (thank you, Uncle D and Aunt S for the gift card!), 2 skeins of Plymouth Happy Feet in a red/brown multi that will be great for non-stockinette socks, 1 (of 2) skeins of Plymouth Happy Feet in a blue/green/red multi that is more muted than the colors suggest (thank you, Grandmother!)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFBdYS81gRJwQsMcJ7nVZ6vswA-3CdYkhQ59AJYTP4fexwYRLdq212PtVKLzG1UGPWtUNMqVCTYP7fPgCw2eynGCuFkDDxz9vE9H91tnUht24DikATlqSWiEGIPkKD38ydNI8LNg/s1600-h/Katie's+Conwys+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFBdYS81gRJwQsMcJ7nVZ6vswA-3CdYkhQ59AJYTP4fexwYRLdq212PtVKLzG1UGPWtUNMqVCTYP7fPgCw2eynGCuFkDDxz9vE9H91tnUht24DikATlqSWiEGIPkKD38ydNI8LNg/s320/Katie's+Conwys+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290804839189776066" border="0" /></a>5. If you give your sister a coupon for hand-knit socks for Christmas, she will pick out a) your favorite yarn from your stash, b) the lightest-weight (and therefore longest-to-knit) sock yarn, and c) a pattern prone to dropping stitches and yarn that, when dropped, will run approximately 1 inch per second. Oh well. It'll be an adventure. Fearless Knitting, right?<br />Yarn: Actual Size Creations in Rorschach<br />Pattern: Conwy, from Nancy Bush's Knitting on the Road (at least I've made these before, so it's going pretty quickly)psammeadredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15766727501720382469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36047590.post-13538385541312978892008-12-23T23:07:00.003-06:002008-12-23T23:26:07.595-06:00The pretty, the cute, and the pointy objectsI promised you pretty. Here is the pretty!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_3OPXiXhs_-L1Af0B8bpW4ViPM-7jfHU-LbyUJlWxHLYxpYURL0MpwL5mwxj_tTiBvzcjnPV3qBnld2exzZ6hHgyGdb7WR_Qk5UwRqfDGAC_TNWKeHU6AwB9XEQ217z2Nqefprw/s1600-h/Beaded+scarf+on+chair.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_3OPXiXhs_-L1Af0B8bpW4ViPM-7jfHU-LbyUJlWxHLYxpYURL0MpwL5mwxj_tTiBvzcjnPV3qBnld2exzZ6hHgyGdb7WR_Qk5UwRqfDGAC_TNWKeHU6AwB9XEQ217z2Nqefprw/s320/Beaded+scarf+on+chair.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283219301764005042" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdyVOJdDvOh1wYGm7NJm66hTLgbt85Y7VaFepj5_wqsHq2TQwW4FTVm4Orfg345nIlBzPMaeqK6eyjrdvhCBjHnbXG9PZ23Hww6AAEmFOJLaxWagmXUYyzKSLDeiq4ZVP2PadB1Q/s1600-h/Beaded+lace+scarf.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 287px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdyVOJdDvOh1wYGm7NJm66hTLgbt85Y7VaFepj5_wqsHq2TQwW4FTVm4Orfg345nIlBzPMaeqK6eyjrdvhCBjHnbXG9PZ23Hww6AAEmFOJLaxWagmXUYyzKSLDeiq4ZVP2PadB1Q/s320/Beaded+lace+scarf.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283219298341288338" border="0" /></a>This is a scarf knitted from the edging unraveled from a cashmere/silk blend thrift store sweater. The pattern is a basic lily of the valley lace pattern, but I replaced the nupps with the beads. They're sort of a dark jewel-toned rainbow assortment. I love it!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEp6KUdhz44VKseuXMQ7gcpaZniX_q_nWNAeH3V_Q-43CJrs526gCknMT1w01guv1jDmqS1wgS5YFhhbloOrw26CixIPh4xNYgtM_wAa-9BRrXJrmDIJUfUT1mD5tZNoUHunLeXQ/s1600-h/Wee+sock+1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 272px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEp6KUdhz44VKseuXMQ7gcpaZniX_q_nWNAeH3V_Q-43CJrs526gCknMT1w01guv1jDmqS1wgS5YFhhbloOrw26CixIPh4xNYgtM_wAa-9BRrXJrmDIJUfUT1mD5tZNoUHunLeXQ/s320/Wee+sock+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283219304422773490" border="0" /></a><br />Now, some cute. Remember me writing about Eight Ball the llama? Well, when he was sheared this summer, I brought back the fleece to give to some spinners from the knitting guild. <a href="http://spinningknittingweaving.blogspot.com/">Anna</a> was kind enough to give me a bit of two-ply yarn from my buddy the llama, and so I knit it into a wee sock ornament to give to my grandmother for Christmas. I crocheted a little snowflake and sewed it on to give it a bit more decorative feel. I think it's pretty cute. I hope Grandmother likes it!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbqCAXnzt5QioTAOWfghg4F9xEbmH6iBMNOkkKlEjpoYgqc7V4A7vvPkt0iQII5dIuXPSqQpB6-9Q68OqxcU5Rmt68EOJHCg7SWDdehr-PgfhoNE8d4gDkNGxPsVuX5DJQR47ImA/s1600-h/Knitting+pins+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 73px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbqCAXnzt5QioTAOWfghg4F9xEbmH6iBMNOkkKlEjpoYgqc7V4A7vvPkt0iQII5dIuXPSqQpB6-9Q68OqxcU5Rmt68EOJHCg7SWDdehr-PgfhoNE8d4gDkNGxPsVuX5DJQR47ImA/s320/Knitting+pins+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283219314528282754" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP7vmuhaQuZJk5xeIu9F1L_RmcNTvN6VPmvQoOeJ0bB-sJG4YkWvH9ZNawYqy1jTS1lMFLg8SMl7loRCuqU0Cg7722FDNn3MHo08c7hRCS0PSClB0Dc810MUtKD1teEipTA7ZTIQ/s1600-h/Knitting+pins.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 77px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP7vmuhaQuZJk5xeIu9F1L_RmcNTvN6VPmvQoOeJ0bB-sJG4YkWvH9ZNawYqy1jTS1lMFLg8SMl7loRCuqU0Cg7722FDNn3MHo08c7hRCS0PSClB0Dc810MUtKD1teEipTA7ZTIQ/s320/Knitting+pins.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283219309225506274" border="0" /></a><br />Today, I got off work a couple hours early, and I went thrift shopping. I really lucked out at one of the stores. These antique knitting needles were only 49 cents! There are four nine-inch size 17 (1.4 mm, also known to US knitters as 000) needles. I wonder who used to knit with them. Whoever used them must have had super-sturdy hands, because these puppies are SHARP.psammeadredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15766727501720382469noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36047590.post-52827828097724727462008-12-05T21:26:00.004-06:002008-12-05T21:39:16.158-06:00For prettyAbout two years ago, my grandmother gave me two teapots for my birthday. One was delicately ornamented blue and white bit of hand-painted china. It looked like something that Elizabeth Bennett would have used to pour Mr. Darcy a cup of Earl Grey. Grandmother had taped a note on it that said, "For pretty."<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqoryRESQhtkWc9sMGeC8ujg4abv4tlbKU67X3ceYvQ1HhEr0VKM0fD8-wn8EwbQmD6FUXU0BoXcb8CRaVWp6U31PBNin1ZbvGR6JmoLjfYnkiDstjAryQHdk-Qf5NxbCCkdT6fA/s1600-h/Pretty+teapot.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 276px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqoryRESQhtkWc9sMGeC8ujg4abv4tlbKU67X3ceYvQ1HhEr0VKM0fD8-wn8EwbQmD6FUXU0BoXcb8CRaVWp6U31PBNin1ZbvGR6JmoLjfYnkiDstjAryQHdk-Qf5NxbCCkdT6fA/s320/Pretty+teapot.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276514315996159426" border="0" /></a><br />The other was a solid tan and brown teapot. It isn't the most beautiful thing I've ever seen, but somehow it's endearing in its relative plainness. Its note said, "For everyday." And I do use it almost every day.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm-C9VIBLuwAgpYpMGNZG32eckDqBesw7XECCvLnzm07QpPH_SCK8A-bGdJKUKG68PVh9rNi5jVE8U9HE155DF4vPL61F5v9Y5_SeOUyd6QXAH75PE0-jAytVtc1lRqXamMYhj0g/s1600-h/Everyday+teapot.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 258px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm-C9VIBLuwAgpYpMGNZG32eckDqBesw7XECCvLnzm07QpPH_SCK8A-bGdJKUKG68PVh9rNi5jVE8U9HE155DF4vPL61F5v9Y5_SeOUyd6QXAH75PE0-jAytVtc1lRqXamMYhj0g/s320/Everyday+teapot.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276514317818452354" border="0" /></a>I've realized that most of my knitting lately has been in the "For everyday" category. I've been knitting to stay warm, especially since until this evening, I had no heat in my car. And in case you were wondering, 26 degrees is COLD. I've been coming home with stiff, numb hands every night, even with gloves. On the plus side, having a cold car gives me an opportunity to wear more of my hand-knits - almost all of them. Simultaneously. On the con side, I haven't been knitting as much "For pretty." So that needed to change. It's blocking right now. Here's a snippet.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiMoIc7YrWCGGW8nwe8DqWjGUV6oRRi2nBePXZ2umJMScUzSBnYILLEX8q46aNqoYEmZ27xcLRl3nYfvbL6Hya86rspLz5escmBnsq3UlorTH35uWnknFGPDvB465zdE3g-0zEFg/s1600-h/Beaded+lace+closeup.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 271px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiMoIc7YrWCGGW8nwe8DqWjGUV6oRRi2nBePXZ2umJMScUzSBnYILLEX8q46aNqoYEmZ27xcLRl3nYfvbL6Hya86rspLz5escmBnsq3UlorTH35uWnknFGPDvB465zdE3g-0zEFg/s320/Beaded+lace+closeup.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276514321473310482" border="0" /></a>psammeadredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15766727501720382469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36047590.post-5652959158815591672008-11-23T21:45:00.005-06:002008-12-05T21:26:01.417-06:00A polite requestTo: The gnomes that live in my room and hide my stuff<br />From: A frustrated knitter<br /><br />Dear Sir/Madam/Top Gnome/Whatever:<br /> It has come to my attention that you have apprehended the knitting pattern I was about to start. Normally, this would have been tolerated for a few days. Yes, there are certainly other things I could knit. I understand that the holidays are upon us, and work is especially rushed and stressful. But was that really necessary just when I finally got gauge with my lovely yarn? I respectfully request that you GIVE IT BACK ALREADY.<br /><br />Sincerely,<br /> The human whose room this in fact IS, and don't you forget it!<br /><br />Postscript, several hours later:<br />AHA! Thought you were clever, did you, hiding that pattern behind the books? In the future, please limit your scavenging activity to the pile of Red Heart Ickrylic in the far corner of the closet.<br /><br />Thanks,<br />The Management.psammeadredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15766727501720382469noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36047590.post-64869323354053154532008-11-22T10:42:00.005-06:002008-11-22T11:09:19.105-06:00Sweater, revisitedLike I said in my last post, fall is here to stay. (I hope. Now that I've typed that, watch us have an Indian Summer at Thanksgiving.)<br /><br />Anyways, that meant that last weekend was spent hauling out all the cold-weather clothes, including this one, which you may remember:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwGRJFNwEWiVEPtdQup8UTq4sCxkSCs4aR_7AlEvDkITJXh9UKAq7hpP92_IuCgkvtHB60nVXFxNwW6BFTm0b9BOcEUZe39Xc1YKMjAsEXN09NzBKgFzhIT3e_q8YG9WJ9N0pYTA/s1600-h/CDR+-+used.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 190px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwGRJFNwEWiVEPtdQup8UTq4sCxkSCs4aR_7AlEvDkITJXh9UKAq7hpP92_IuCgkvtHB60nVXFxNwW6BFTm0b9BOcEUZe39Xc1YKMjAsEXN09NzBKgFzhIT3e_q8YG9WJ9N0pYTA/s320/CDR+-+used.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271523984159152594" border="0" /></a>It's the Cable-Down Raglan that I knit last year out of Patons Classic Wool. I wore it to work yesterday, and as you can see (maybe), it's held up pretty well. But there's something I didn't like about it. Somehow, it sags in the armpits. I couldn't figure out what the problem was - did I do too many raglan increases for the arms? According to the pattern, I did the right thing. My gauge swatch was right on. It wasn't my favorite thing I'd ever knitted, but I wore it like a mother wears the paper crown her kid made for her, even if it looks a bit like a cross between a brontosaurus and a platter of wilting lettuce. It may be an imperfect sweater, but it's MY imperfect sweater.<br /><br />Well, when I was pulling it on yesterday, I had an epiphany.<br /><br />The sweater is TOO BIG.<br /><br />As in four inches too big.<br /><br />So I have a sweater that's a size or two too big. Oh well. I'll keep wearing it, because it is MINE, yes preciousssss...but I may re-knit it in a smaller size.<br /><br />And yes, I know - I should have washed my gauge swatch. I'm horrible about not washing my gauge swatches.<br /><br />We had a very special visitor to our deer feeder yesterday morning.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTNeg9myUkzJgbDMa6KB4qULKZGsjK7wqaHq_DxXN7Gs_e3MO5BHd9Ussi9w4tWz4-wRAV3LVSGdjZSt5kq9uVrMHogd-q6jFdxJu-iO5M328J_R5qs335vi52qtjL0d2oQYj3eg/s1600-h/White+stag+11-21-08.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 264px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTNeg9myUkzJgbDMa6KB4qULKZGsjK7wqaHq_DxXN7Gs_e3MO5BHd9Ussi9w4tWz4-wRAV3LVSGdjZSt5kq9uVrMHogd-q6jFdxJu-iO5M328J_R5qs335vi52qtjL0d2oQYj3eg/s320/White+stag+11-21-08.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271524003029584626" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqVymrKsj9X5huWq-x7fKBPEohQpKnbmf0U767GWCez0InjGWsh97kJX_JlJ1-a4SrDcytyy30e069WpwNgIiQwcnItwOv5omNifJZJ0omdxaHXKo__wourHxpLYdGRWRbIpByoQ/s1600-h/White+stag+11-21-08+again.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 238px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqVymrKsj9X5huWq-x7fKBPEohQpKnbmf0U767GWCez0InjGWsh97kJX_JlJ1-a4SrDcytyy30e069WpwNgIiQwcnItwOv5omNifJZJ0omdxaHXKo__wourHxpLYdGRWRbIpByoQ/s320/White+stag+11-21-08+again.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271523987394664434" border="0" /></a>It's the White Stag! We haven't been able to tell if this is an albino or a white deer. Whatever he is, he's pretty gorgeous! He practically glows when he's out at the deer feeder, and that's saying something when you think about the red Oklahoma dirt he lives in. We didn't try to catch him to see if he would grant us wishes, though!psammeadredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15766727501720382469noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36047590.post-90211500174301300442008-11-13T22:24:00.002-06:002008-11-13T22:50:22.635-06:00A very delayed post<div style="text-align: center;">Fall is finally here! Time for some serious knitting!<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGvD-Uq8c1aTCkyhOL05y_B5LQnOxYN-y_ODs_FTrzikGUts9r3bOJDoOt9GQCUZRGQTXV04ZwgDyhiHYXnQeDT2EFowk4_bZ0d0UgdoLwzUCNClJz8IOcZ7GiWAnlFKtrinq7Tw/s1600-h/IMG_0326.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGvD-Uq8c1aTCkyhOL05y_B5LQnOxYN-y_ODs_FTrzikGUts9r3bOJDoOt9GQCUZRGQTXV04ZwgDyhiHYXnQeDT2EFowk4_bZ0d0UgdoLwzUCNClJz8IOcZ7GiWAnlFKtrinq7Tw/s320/IMG_0326.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268365383582676626" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4n1QJsE2uXGtJ9J1ffIck3VnddRV2IjDz0xrF_UirKX8JOnr5OGylkb_VgNy0NAZeB0aaYrMCS9P7lVIgDdaR8d5c_adB9YCwqWYoukZIty54_CjmlOpNVwTSG-zEXEuRocvLJA/s1600-h/IMG_0279.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4n1QJsE2uXGtJ9J1ffIck3VnddRV2IjDz0xrF_UirKX8JOnr5OGylkb_VgNy0NAZeB0aaYrMCS9P7lVIgDdaR8d5c_adB9YCwqWYoukZIty54_CjmlOpNVwTSG-zEXEuRocvLJA/s320/IMG_0279.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268365378994358738" border="0" /></a>This is the back of the Estes Vest from IK Fall 08. I'm knitting it from Lamb's Pride Bulky, which is quite a change after knitting socks for a while! It works up quickly into a soft, plushy fabric. I've finished the back and one of the fronts, but I may rip out the front bit. The pattern has pockets in front, and I'm not sure I want to do them, since they'll only be about three inches deep. I really don't mind the idea of ripping out a front of a vest as much as, say, half a sock. I knitted the entire front (I think) while watching a BBC miniseries - Wives and Daughters, which I wholeheartedly recommend! (Think Jane Austen, but with a bit more action and character development.)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIQ9yfUuNOsiNo3EDM5adnEiWi6skdtEkXTy_1uajtLFGNbAftadHBd7-GrOV-4NkQyNNOUKqeijgtTxPgWjOA-rE_QxUeb9njET0F8rfVj5YS4bPX-RHQaty4YhxLkKlrz4Whgw/s1600-h/IMG_0299.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIQ9yfUuNOsiNo3EDM5adnEiWi6skdtEkXTy_1uajtLFGNbAftadHBd7-GrOV-4NkQyNNOUKqeijgtTxPgWjOA-rE_QxUeb9njET0F8rfVj5YS4bPX-RHQaty4YhxLkKlrz4Whgw/s320/IMG_0299.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268365378364507346" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiquDynut4fu6rHbzev05pyX2DR0VKx2QTdG2Ck3WhwDvS9Q2DxuHWu4B82xr0Jq6jejv6Ul5R6_6OA0w8E619NY7SuIh6pu-x_j8Yon03pRBKuLP5E5Hx2wP8O4J1aboV5_3JtSw/s1600-h/IMG_0297.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiquDynut4fu6rHbzev05pyX2DR0VKx2QTdG2Ck3WhwDvS9Q2DxuHWu4B82xr0Jq6jejv6Ul5R6_6OA0w8E619NY7SuIh6pu-x_j8Yon03pRBKuLP5E5Hx2wP8O4J1aboV5_3JtSw/s320/IMG_0297.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268365367707728338" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8mwI0nZ7KPY4Q5PVvqS4N5K3FlozQBuxTNABs3nXg1MG0LO1IITp_124UJ92gVV2dON7S_cGny1Oo2L2yLUYUlDPWjnObqEB2lR7yqpdicpos91B4R1XJt2ms11N5gqS_MMH2eA/s1600-h/IMG_0288.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8mwI0nZ7KPY4Q5PVvqS4N5K3FlozQBuxTNABs3nXg1MG0LO1IITp_124UJ92gVV2dON7S_cGny1Oo2L2yLUYUlDPWjnObqEB2lR7yqpdicpos91B4R1XJt2ms11N5gqS_MMH2eA/s320/IMG_0288.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268365361540059106" border="0" /></a>This is <a href="http://jattasoheltaa.blogspot.com/2008/02/zetor-scarf-pattern.html">Zetor</a>, a triangular shawl/scarf knitted in Noro Kureyon Sock, knit on size 6 needles. It was a rather fast knit, as shawls go. The lace pattern is quite easy to memorize once you knit a couple of repeats - I think I did seven? (There is an error in the edging chart, though - knitters, ye be warned.) I ran out of Kureyon at stitch #221 of 279, but thankfully, I had a scrap of recycled wool/silk that matched perfectly - crisis averted! Normally, I'd knit lace from a more solid-colored yarn, but I needed something colorful to go over a grey dress I was going to wear to a wedding.<br /><br />And speaking of a wedding...it was FANTASTIC. One of my best friends got married in Kansas on November 8. It was a wonderful weekend of watching my dear friend get married to a totally awesome guy who's crazy about her and hanging out with old friends I hadn't seen in ages.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMdQax1O7amB6629_f_DZtACtN7K0s3K2s_t-NIs7zJmueHl6Psx5hmq6LgoVPZdQbb1ykvw4mgHzKgD9cR59Zrz6M0rk_bpeB5EPvy8lSdT0-M5dy2iNuaVRP2M_RTZo3wDZw1A/s1600-h/Candles+in+the+wind.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMdQax1O7amB6629_f_DZtACtN7K0s3K2s_t-NIs7zJmueHl6Psx5hmq6LgoVPZdQbb1ykvw4mgHzKgD9cR59Zrz6M0rk_bpeB5EPvy8lSdT0-M5dy2iNuaVRP2M_RTZo3wDZw1A/s320/Candles+in+the+wind.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268366372264334690" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmQj4GKs0eotrkGTwWkfdWhMgeLmxN4VZnrScSkNmOZX06J0H8QWasHgxBZZvtoMUrr_A2nuxQEmloRvq6MwBJyRDTlW3VQOt4usK-ny3U7btMlWKiDUPoWe-_IMhCGrECxXExIA/s1600-h/Candles+on+brown.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmQj4GKs0eotrkGTwWkfdWhMgeLmxN4VZnrScSkNmOZX06J0H8QWasHgxBZZvtoMUrr_A2nuxQEmloRvq6MwBJyRDTlW3VQOt4usK-ny3U7btMlWKiDUPoWe-_IMhCGrECxXExIA/s320/Candles+on+brown.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268366365869741250" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcDpVqUuej6pB7GiIxT0nMNCBIvXnMtlK7Fp16ltEh7TuxG2MLy1UXl0zkHbWAW-c8te5wWXy9cDMqOHx2ape9kyYCtSTM2ji5KyW6aDvnzEhhiRBTCm6qJt9_CVZs8crTH98P9w/s1600-h/11-13-08+046.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcDpVqUuej6pB7GiIxT0nMNCBIvXnMtlK7Fp16ltEh7TuxG2MLy1UXl0zkHbWAW-c8te5wWXy9cDMqOHx2ape9kyYCtSTM2ji5KyW6aDvnzEhhiRBTCm6qJt9_CVZs8crTH98P9w/s320/11-13-08+046.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268366356378908370" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisKs4aTRFyAYI9Bi7AJDK5DA1r0vr8wye0cQweH99Rh7DWm5LZqmJ1zAMP4h0oeh_mq4xXIAhvI2UN_1J1PwaJOasz5__gq2y30MZzSB6wXufPbsm6rrw_e87e1vj90DueeSuMdw/s1600-h/Flowers.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisKs4aTRFyAYI9Bi7AJDK5DA1r0vr8wye0cQweH99Rh7DWm5LZqmJ1zAMP4h0oeh_mq4xXIAhvI2UN_1J1PwaJOasz5__gq2y30MZzSB6wXufPbsm6rrw_e87e1vj90DueeSuMdw/s320/Flowers.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268366369978987266" border="0" /></a>This wedding also marked a first for me - the first time I caught the bouquet! Actually, I didn't so much catch it as pick it up when it landed behind me. However, the heartbreakingly adorable 3-year-old flower girl nabbed my flowers when I set them down to cut the cake. (That's her holding the flowers.) Oh well, she'll enjoy them more than I would.psammeadredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15766727501720382469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36047590.post-15975072153242099082008-10-09T14:19:00.002-06:002008-10-09T14:21:55.948-06:00Because I thought it was funny.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifDb-o8aNE4jLyLiFBcXnhcBnCO5qQjiUpW0c2L82pRC4fRp8vLhHWvAy9DDhm0F_DzoaS9ekMKHhfW295bPltSMtTJX_K8QqWcir-apTEAwV6cj3T_pk0X-fr9Bcx8gwl_8uQgA/s1600-h/funny-pictures-baby-tiger-sees-his-mothers-tail-and-thinks-it-is-a-snake.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifDb-o8aNE4jLyLiFBcXnhcBnCO5qQjiUpW0c2L82pRC4fRp8vLhHWvAy9DDhm0F_DzoaS9ekMKHhfW295bPltSMtTJX_K8QqWcir-apTEAwV6cj3T_pk0X-fr9Bcx8gwl_8uQgA/s320/funny-pictures-baby-tiger-sees-his-mothers-tail-and-thinks-it-is-a-snake.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255251987264811586" /></a>psammeadredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15766727501720382469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36047590.post-81200336339002464672008-09-20T13:32:00.003-06:002008-09-20T13:42:15.231-06:00New camera!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7N5LMZUIcwFq5MDgCnRljRslBh1wc1e8oQAwh9fKmtZOgx9fRpr8JTAhGqvn5HRUxr5CvDBvZKAr_vKc6ulgdxmsIS2kukiEt4P6a7gykf8CxVE-aL7EN4CsJv8wgOlgudJTL6A/s1600-h/Low+rose.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7N5LMZUIcwFq5MDgCnRljRslBh1wc1e8oQAwh9fKmtZOgx9fRpr8JTAhGqvn5HRUxr5CvDBvZKAr_vKc6ulgdxmsIS2kukiEt4P6a7gykf8CxVE-aL7EN4CsJv8wgOlgudJTL6A/s320/Low+rose.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248190353083394482" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjUx7KIl-hdx352Y5T_kX9b4dtEHentuJlmOSA4btUsmqnzvseuFAJYObET49pqLGZB8mXI1HgXA8rMH6otSdV3V1Yiamk57rFdPDPvctO3bkouNu753E__2V6hCehwSe2LbgJgg/s1600-h/Red+suede+shoes.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjUx7KIl-hdx352Y5T_kX9b4dtEHentuJlmOSA4btUsmqnzvseuFAJYObET49pqLGZB8mXI1HgXA8rMH6otSdV3V1Yiamk57rFdPDPvctO3bkouNu753E__2V6hCehwSe2LbgJgg/s320/Red+suede+shoes.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248190353740255010" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjkg63XBheVdv99S6lZeSNoR-AP71qqq064mUCmLlCz7K6wrXZyRvmf3UGm6OVXhBAXcaNB9imRtKqiXPk8lbPzQfHZH-hEK_bFwVZz8tOY6z45qpuNFofG4HjrpOI5tkJgHP3RQ/s1600-h/Pretty+Mickey.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjkg63XBheVdv99S6lZeSNoR-AP71qqq064mUCmLlCz7K6wrXZyRvmf3UGm6OVXhBAXcaNB9imRtKqiXPk8lbPzQfHZH-hEK_bFwVZz8tOY6z45qpuNFofG4HjrpOI5tkJgHP3RQ/s320/Pretty+Mickey.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248190360937215474" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM66W-F9SCvMdFh6xhMYKj4JepP_Abzy5qy2RvSO7qK7SshVTE2Q6y7-PpcluQDLXv5zWfRsKPgDE6_trlhJPj0EuL0jyWpFHzPwqWU7EYe3jEwSIVwVjZynDXiOdxSEVOimafnA/s1600-h/Teapot+warmer.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM66W-F9SCvMdFh6xhMYKj4JepP_Abzy5qy2RvSO7qK7SshVTE2Q6y7-PpcluQDLXv5zWfRsKPgDE6_trlhJPj0EuL0jyWpFHzPwqWU7EYe3jEwSIVwVjZynDXiOdxSEVOimafnA/s320/Teapot+warmer.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248190365643117698" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMsPptbteZLrpLNa9ElxsuQ_8FRtJoHFylG382Hyx1nh7y1QMMBH4jfL-As2jb5JskY9B8jjOaknsXNoGJhtBT-cFJZYRi9-V05DDAdbK_g8pOEf_1qz2Yt0eY3Qr9r8lORYHADg/s1600-h/9-20-08+034.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMsPptbteZLrpLNa9ElxsuQ_8FRtJoHFylG382Hyx1nh7y1QMMBH4jfL-As2jb5JskY9B8jjOaknsXNoGJhtBT-cFJZYRi9-V05DDAdbK_g8pOEf_1qz2Yt0eY3Qr9r8lORYHADg/s320/9-20-08+034.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248189533969007634" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjnfPcIUmaru8-lP5flB-JlVWRkhbymlZmLefBs9TVKuS0a8-9OnvoK2Cm5P_tbGN17CVnXCsQV292wrdTQPaibuBPe0zZOu9cm6wA9qU7SdNqht_qxWpPiRtIdAFGVnXxqs-_Gw/s1600-h/Bee+3+%28good%29.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjnfPcIUmaru8-lP5flB-JlVWRkhbymlZmLefBs9TVKuS0a8-9OnvoK2Cm5P_tbGN17CVnXCsQV292wrdTQPaibuBPe0zZOu9cm6wA9qU7SdNqht_qxWpPiRtIdAFGVnXxqs-_Gw/s320/Bee+3+%28good%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248189540993812786" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDx1p4UvC0Z_P3PmQDRlaqgr088TXuHB3k_Kn38nUd99Kj73rgv-I786DJGzxMwuGKVqeYnwI0KjMjzhYYy4eCuYx9zfNgoOoD1rmkDXDiu759RMvxshTRvE_3B7H-5KTdMfq_qA/s1600-h/Beetle+on+flower.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDx1p4UvC0Z_P3PmQDRlaqgr088TXuHB3k_Kn38nUd99Kj73rgv-I786DJGzxMwuGKVqeYnwI0KjMjzhYYy4eCuYx9zfNgoOoD1rmkDXDiu759RMvxshTRvE_3B7H-5KTdMfq_qA/s320/Beetle+on+flower.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248189545919464722" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgUmWH7B8EpNM_xFOUVgUlLKEtnJVKu2-76yy9_gl8hchfPs24K686D68hpkb53dL-qXJP4La1VFmuBFc13DkoDGOnXPn_8Vn20J3HUEU1xpv7eYL7p8HQFwrXvouVCm0xH8Rz0A/s1600-h/Indian+blanket.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgUmWH7B8EpNM_xFOUVgUlLKEtnJVKu2-76yy9_gl8hchfPs24K686D68hpkb53dL-qXJP4La1VFmuBFc13DkoDGOnXPn_8Vn20J3HUEU1xpv7eYL7p8HQFwrXvouVCm0xH8Rz0A/s320/Indian+blanket.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248189548820912386" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6YS-C8yitFVZd4uXfbrViTxb4K7PIcshvE2KDF_paJdvnLDHYUKcLwUtufaGOjFBkFlb500yL30tFPD7GLcd_dBu57eb9JsW0SZxfrfgYTWVGT5fbG1iXX4q93yXCds1BKcSb8Q/s1600-h/Wet+footprints.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6YS-C8yitFVZd4uXfbrViTxb4K7PIcshvE2KDF_paJdvnLDHYUKcLwUtufaGOjFBkFlb500yL30tFPD7GLcd_dBu57eb9JsW0SZxfrfgYTWVGT5fbG1iXX4q93yXCds1BKcSb8Q/s320/Wet+footprints.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248189558247665714" border="0" /></a>In case you haven't guessed by now, I got a new camera for my birthday! It's a Canon PowerShot SD870 IS, and it takes some pretty fantastic pictures.psammeadredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15766727501720382469noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36047590.post-87764432300423209542008-09-07T20:30:00.002-06:002008-09-07T20:48:02.269-06:00A couple of not-so-great things<div style="text-align: center;">This looks like a partially good thing (aside from my atrocious colorwork).<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7lYY2di5XqKtADuljFeR3tXMRnLCaPHFmnvhFEWGak9nfds-kd2UnEA73bjDuu_BLcmVqqRhOEKDXc_3bNAbpy7ae8DDEXv7OzLgcrzsVbj9_BQ_IAIlI36ZcwdhM5FBhTXeVvQ/s1600-h/Anemoi.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7lYY2di5XqKtADuljFeR3tXMRnLCaPHFmnvhFEWGak9nfds-kd2UnEA73bjDuu_BLcmVqqRhOEKDXc_3bNAbpy7ae8DDEXv7OzLgcrzsVbj9_BQ_IAIlI36ZcwdhM5FBhTXeVvQ/s320/Anemoi.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243474093472767234" border="0" /></a>Here's the problem.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO-tdREL18c9GMVnpq3SKfXRQQ4yijJgI1evqSl1CgJyg2K6NTxeeT8kwyaUb7etyS-G1rRXmQHV_mnounmKlBpKg1SDPJRavjIX_V1f0O4UZZVOs6blU3HXGMw4f9tVE2mDNjvA/s1600-h/Anemoi+with+comment.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO-tdREL18c9GMVnpq3SKfXRQQ4yijJgI1evqSl1CgJyg2K6NTxeeT8kwyaUb7etyS-G1rRXmQHV_mnounmKlBpKg1SDPJRavjIX_V1f0O4UZZVOs6blU3HXGMw4f9tVE2mDNjvA/s320/Anemoi+with+comment.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243474105899562210" border="0" /></a><br />The other not-so great thing:<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0r__CEnaw1pAVB0y2a2mvrkZF10Iwb-9iXRujgHTrUmXnRrnKqXGrA0WbfHLtNqyTH3jF5H3kWmUVGWemDelwXA-x1kBZwhrI25rVchnrIzOuf2R6AQSsDFnQeqiE__gi2Pjhxw/s1600-h/Stash+crash%21.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0r__CEnaw1pAVB0y2a2mvrkZF10Iwb-9iXRujgHTrUmXnRrnKqXGrA0WbfHLtNqyTH3jF5H3kWmUVGWemDelwXA-x1kBZwhrI25rVchnrIzOuf2R6AQSsDFnQeqiE__gi2Pjhxw/s320/Stash+crash%21.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243474105231140226" border="0" /></a>Let this be a lesson: bookshelves from Walmart are not to be trusted.<br /><br />But let's end on a high note, shall we?<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM9gAv4JTKIo3W_LTbYBEw_JKxqddSNWpJ7pPWvNwp8WmfgErQPbH7Z3bsoFxhtH4zQCBTu6l8vStZe7l4YiZhyphenhyphenoWz-HpdapIWilDJVnmRS4YGM17ZpncBmKLYZp4v-80s0mdn3g/s1600-h/Odessa.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM9gAv4JTKIo3W_LTbYBEw_JKxqddSNWpJ7pPWvNwp8WmfgErQPbH7Z3bsoFxhtH4zQCBTu6l8vStZe7l4YiZhyphenhyphenoWz-HpdapIWilDJVnmRS4YGM17ZpncBmKLYZp4v-80s0mdn3g/s320/Odessa.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243474097406535090" border="0" /></a>This is Odessa, and it's knit from a ball of some mystery angora blend. I like it, but angora just isn't my thing. There were fuzzies all over my nose and eyes and mouth.<br /><br />Remember that Oklahoma sock yarn that I bought in a misplaced fit of state pride? A refresher - it's PINK.<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG5Ybqm9iH0pz8JS7_AR0rhXphARJ3NqOwq-JA2l5PialrR_RUAn96m3QXz5rbCKDDsFqVUx1cevz_zGPSbkYKMbsWBx4G0aRWXsC-GVKWYNiOHwLTppRmOUqpytxoB5_RDqKMXg/s1600-h/Oklahoma+overdyed.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG5Ybqm9iH0pz8JS7_AR0rhXphARJ3NqOwq-JA2l5PialrR_RUAn96m3QXz5rbCKDDsFqVUx1cevz_zGPSbkYKMbsWBx4G0aRWXsC-GVKWYNiOHwLTppRmOUqpytxoB5_RDqKMXg/s320/Oklahoma+overdyed.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243474099716216610" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Not anymore! It's so pretty - a slightly variegated royal blue. I'm really pleased with how well it turned out, and I think it wants to be a lace shawl.<br /></div>psammeadredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15766727501720382469noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36047590.post-58770096257491537442008-08-23T09:38:00.003-06:002008-08-23T09:54:51.646-06:00The good, the bad, and the uglyLet's get the ugly out of the way.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghLCUg32jv-ABqbR94lgM-wFg8BvKmSHrE-3I4Ds1giMS9Tvb73EzJluVF-dzVOD1n0JJL05TuXzCp8PpSd5zlGK8YHcTKwahxt86THPlwddbXJiH_Ltty0jJV6s0v6g22yywkPQ/s1600-h/Pills+2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghLCUg32jv-ABqbR94lgM-wFg8BvKmSHrE-3I4Ds1giMS9Tvb73EzJluVF-dzVOD1n0JJL05TuXzCp8PpSd5zlGK8YHcTKwahxt86THPlwddbXJiH_Ltty0jJV6s0v6g22yywkPQ/s320/Pills+2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237738473248011138" border="0" /></a>This is my shirt after wearing my <a href="http://amingledyarn.wordpress.com/gallery/short-sleeve-sweaters/ophelia-pattern/">Ophelia </a>vest, which I knitted from Hobby Lobby's new cotton yarn. "I Love This Cotton" knits up very nicely and is wonderfully soft, but...yeah. This is what it leaves in its wake.<br /><br />Now, some good. First of all, my first felting project:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglvJ_HiIzgNdRYUC4Q_JorUFhNxoAIxM037M9ffEsdGKaHZ7PWEOpgsaDp1Hjj4xi7flSpE7OeAtIMFP_K3llchpN5OL2wfDQ0afWT73SmDsIKKBNOy0pCEgamY6sHxswldL9Idg/s1600-h/Pre-felting.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglvJ_HiIzgNdRYUC4Q_JorUFhNxoAIxM037M9ffEsdGKaHZ7PWEOpgsaDp1Hjj4xi7flSpE7OeAtIMFP_K3llchpN5OL2wfDQ0afWT73SmDsIKKBNOy0pCEgamY6sHxswldL9Idg/s320/Pre-felting.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237738482545341282" border="0" /></a>I crocheted a circle from the leftover wool from my Cable-Down Raglan (and my cabled headband). A little vigorous swooshing in hot soapy water, and here's what came out.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGQBfRWGxlArNl-nwNCrxFehrlASxi7sXuMUK55xLRHP4kA4vHCCfr4DOHHbg6YNxVWdO-wAFWumD4YvOde62szHMqCaQXWeaixaVKnuGIXpvhZN9UPlZd4UxDKDTruPzM8Oe-Tw/s1600-h/Post-felting.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGQBfRWGxlArNl-nwNCrxFehrlASxi7sXuMUK55xLRHP4kA4vHCCfr4DOHHbg6YNxVWdO-wAFWumD4YvOde62szHMqCaQXWeaixaVKnuGIXpvhZN9UPlZd4UxDKDTruPzM8Oe-Tw/s320/Post-felting.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237738476795627154" border="0" /></a>I made this little circle-type object to put my teapot on when I take it up to my room.<br /><br />And new yarn always counts as a good thing, right?<br /><br />This is some Louet Gems Fingering that I got through a Ravelry destashing. It's a soft yellow - bright, but not fluorescent.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnyn9N4D_f2Ps4eHNtoMNolgBqvUP23P0vrAhc3myAzyA4OGrGxCvlVhzC9G1pnMMMegbIqhGk5oaSyx5kaS8_nIbQ1MS87e5LAGovZWeFEl_LROY3WQRS27p59HJsEi9RvbDKgQ/s1600-h/Louet+Goldilocks.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnyn9N4D_f2Ps4eHNtoMNolgBqvUP23P0vrAhc3myAzyA4OGrGxCvlVhzC9G1pnMMMegbIqhGk5oaSyx5kaS8_nIbQ1MS87e5LAGovZWeFEl_LROY3WQRS27p59HJsEi9RvbDKgQ/s320/Louet+Goldilocks.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237738199858363138" border="0" /></a>This is from the same destashing - Actual Size Creations hand-dyed sock yarn. The colorway is named Rorschach (as in Rorschach blot, I guess), but to me, it's fall leaves.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnMbTWYwQEWJwps-CQIogg5RPn-zJ00l0TB6hnSQ-sR-z2IxYzMaoQiyYrD_gSiTwW58C_LDx4O7EIZyf5tjABoXn36Bs8t6a_4kgq-yIZwu5AjTDdYL8RtUIAQoIYhkfVf-QM4g/s1600-h/Rorschach+better.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnMbTWYwQEWJwps-CQIogg5RPn-zJ00l0TB6hnSQ-sR-z2IxYzMaoQiyYrD_gSiTwW58C_LDx4O7EIZyf5tjABoXn36Bs8t6a_4kgq-yIZwu5AjTDdYL8RtUIAQoIYhkfVf-QM4g/s320/Rorschach+better.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237738220199331218" border="0" /></a>And here's some Ultra Alpaca Light, 433 yards of fingering-weight wool/alpaca/nylon. The color is so much richer in real life - dark, vivid blues and greens. Lace shawl, anyone?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtvtLaNxX9SB6GoMrG14-nws_jG70E0aWd5WOka48rjQnqigacMM-JFHsxnj7LBf4FJQknssxJN7MuksU3Ynd1zgQfPLV64lPsAqyBZMVMzBeePGZnhi92Z2e4HTIRW-ZYAfpvxw/s1600-h/Ultra+Alpaca+Light.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtvtLaNxX9SB6GoMrG14-nws_jG70E0aWd5WOka48rjQnqigacMM-JFHsxnj7LBf4FJQknssxJN7MuksU3Ynd1zgQfPLV64lPsAqyBZMVMzBeePGZnhi92Z2e4HTIRW-ZYAfpvxw/s320/Ultra+Alpaca+Light.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237738219817463074" border="0" /></a>And last (and least!), the bad.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnycbwjfGvgUEVKFLXjy_o_A81GcfyotLP_TI-GaeO5aG-iEs6hjg_eVHWaRHs-obLigKETSWHWjMTm3kxA8QOmW7Bsik7jRcvQAJYURxAjpRqmiYkdehc9MbmKI4gffQdp9GlIA/s1600-h/Baudelaire+good.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnycbwjfGvgUEVKFLXjy_o_A81GcfyotLP_TI-GaeO5aG-iEs6hjg_eVHWaRHs-obLigKETSWHWjMTm3kxA8QOmW7Bsik7jRcvQAJYURxAjpRqmiYkdehc9MbmKI4gffQdp9GlIA/s320/Baudelaire+good.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237738201089706658" border="0" /></a>This may not look terribly bad. Sure, it's pooling like crazy, but it's a sock, right?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIHBvnUaa_kKN47bnPeg63MQe1oPm3k_FQGoX6TkA2uvbwzNFsUt86xvicVgfj-BjRrKjWI79dl-qlmuQ3fVlaPcn3ru3sDUJ_mlb2KKat2Vt_eJiMJrDw3NhcX7bYX0zWWZg5Uw/s1600-h/Baudelaire+bad.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIHBvnUaa_kKN47bnPeg63MQe1oPm3k_FQGoX6TkA2uvbwzNFsUt86xvicVgfj-BjRrKjWI79dl-qlmuQ3fVlaPcn3ru3sDUJ_mlb2KKat2Vt_eJiMJrDw3NhcX7bYX0zWWZg5Uw/s320/Baudelaire+bad.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237738197029248034" border="0" /></a>See the problem yet? Into the frog pond it goes.psammeadredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15766727501720382469noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36047590.post-77486518348586969942008-08-12T19:47:00.003-06:002008-08-12T20:00:35.353-06:00Past the finish line!<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj54FAtaApy4GkJozXBh03dgQcQEssMrDPptec0v1ZskLXgXN2JpafdHxGvL2cscX7zS2KNPjhWZetBDgJa9xTLC2DEB-e_3p537eT5nLkqf3r7zkSHCa0j0IFAu0O5l_nXauTzTg/s1600-h/Charade+finished.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj54FAtaApy4GkJozXBh03dgQcQEssMrDPptec0v1ZskLXgXN2JpafdHxGvL2cscX7zS2KNPjhWZetBDgJa9xTLC2DEB-e_3p537eT5nLkqf3r7zkSHCa0j0IFAu0O5l_nXauTzTg/s400/Charade+finished.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233814746585517346" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Cast on first sock 8-8-08 10:45 AM<br />Cast off second sock 8-11-08 8:40 PM<br /><br />I've got 87 yards of yarn left! I probably could have made these knee socks, but I didn't want to risk running out of yarn. As it stands, they're 8" from cuff to beginning of heel flap. These will be my winter snow boot socks.psammeadredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15766727501720382469noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36047590.post-73180613620190403212008-08-09T17:11:00.000-06:002008-08-09T17:12:00.341-06:006:00 PM Ravelympics update<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Sg-oYTg6ZFRbq07JZboSQFJq_oGiUi-lJRH3yO-PW50x_W-KfbZ0bPmKX91TxvJdG6dWLFpQMvAAXIemOfkbKthQOfWlFY0hmzD0xywj4g2S3ebVu6vq539CHqaTc9VIhBzMDg/s1600-h/Charade+1800.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Sg-oYTg6ZFRbq07JZboSQFJq_oGiUi-lJRH3yO-PW50x_W-KfbZ0bPmKX91TxvJdG6dWLFpQMvAAXIemOfkbKthQOfWlFY0hmzD0xywj4g2S3ebVu6vq539CHqaTc9VIhBzMDg/s400/Charade+1800.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232659583171877602" border="0" /></a><br /></div>psammeadredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15766727501720382469noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36047590.post-66216791558183166312008-08-08T18:29:00.004-06:002008-08-09T17:12:22.723-06:00Let the games begin!Or, I Am A Rather Lousy Ravelympian.<br /><br />Wednesday:<br />3:30 PM: Buy yarn for Ravelympics socks.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZCh5v-XLMJFs5dA6FTZK-CQtBqBerxEEkWGegZMoWCnVrkVnzyTuPV9gJx3L4xxss-b9fuTZeWeJpxt8tefvuoKsMRGde_FgWWPHPBl4YDTmko39qbMj7zI45_nCpBAhpqA5lng/s1600-h/Sockittome+skein.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZCh5v-XLMJFs5dA6FTZK-CQtBqBerxEEkWGegZMoWCnVrkVnzyTuPV9gJx3L4xxss-b9fuTZeWeJpxt8tefvuoKsMRGde_FgWWPHPBl4YDTmko39qbMj7zI45_nCpBAhpqA5lng/s400/Sockittome+skein.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232312968954419826" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Cherry Tree Hill Sockittome in a potluck colorway ("Water" - whatever. I haven't seen much pink, purple, or red water.)<br /><br /></div>Thursday:<br />10:30 PM: Realize that I haven't actually signed up for the Ravelympics.<br /><br />10:31 PM: Sign up for Ravelympics.<br /><br />10:45 PM: Search through 15630548304819357314 favorited sock patterns in search of The Perfect Ravelympics Sock.<br /><br />10:50 PM: Decide to try the Flutter-By socks. Commence swatching. (yes, I know, I swatched for a sock.)<br /><br />11:30 PM: Realize that the sock is a) WAY too big and b) pooling like crazy.<br /><br />11:45 PM: Realize again that the sock is a) WAY too big and b) pooling like crazy.<br /><br />11:50 PM: Rip out sock swatch.<br /><br />Friday:<br />Sometime between 6 and 7 AM: turn off both my alarms.)<br />8:30 AM: Lie in bed, basking in the joy that is Saturday morning.<br /><br />8:32 AM: Remember that as joyous as Saturday mornings are, this is in fact FRIDAY, and I have to be at work in 28 minutes.<br /><br />9:30 AM: Get on internet to find The Perfect Ravelympics Sock.<br /><br />9:31 AM: Read headline story on CNN.com. Have heart attack as it hits me that one of my best friends and her fiancee are in the Republic of Georgia, which is currently being bombed by Russia.<br /><br />10:01 AM: After several frantic text and Facebook messages, remember the name of the missions agency.<br /><br />10:02 AM: Call missions agency. They're on the other side of the country and safe, thank God.<br /><br />10:15 AM: Realize that I still haven't found The Perfect Ravelympics Sock (TPRS from here on out). Open 350483937951793473070 web browser pages of sock patterns.<br /><br />10:45 AM: Decide and cast on for Charade.<br /><br />5:05 PM:<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicwII-RJY810DXQKsGYmLkVF5oD_cgTw2lnBSFpZ8nkgwko4W8RJ40iO9Kk5UpG3IXEnL6F24SzPjYtmjXTO1l2Tx_reE6b-VqjAmTJXmfv80Ym6vSFwIpuIg1LisJg61k7BbB4Q/s1600-h/Charade+8-8-08+1705.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicwII-RJY810DXQKsGYmLkVF5oD_cgTw2lnBSFpZ8nkgwko4W8RJ40iO9Kk5UpG3IXEnL6F24SzPjYtmjXTO1l2Tx_reE6b-VqjAmTJXmfv80Ym6vSFwIpuIg1LisJg61k7BbB4Q/s400/Charade+8-8-08+1705.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232312966342280594" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-jAu-VQuP89W98Qy8aJw8sunSV495ux-Vyt8WvNxdTjwmbetPDdibNe0PMXGEAzE5CmIESel_GDHCLuo4ZQBa-kBJ3l9Uvm1ChID5Poa5efztjXFeX8EFt024I6Fj9LvURUlmGA/s1600-h/Charade+closeup.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-jAu-VQuP89W98Qy8aJw8sunSV495ux-Vyt8WvNxdTjwmbetPDdibNe0PMXGEAzE5CmIESel_GDHCLuo4ZQBa-kBJ3l9Uvm1ChID5Poa5efztjXFeX8EFt024I6Fj9LvURUlmGA/s400/Charade+closeup.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232312965802854882" border="0" /></a></div>psammeadredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15766727501720382469noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36047590.post-68331405925051614102008-08-03T14:42:00.003-06:002008-08-03T14:54:46.207-06:00Third time's the charm?At the March 2007 Knit-In, I cast on for a pair of socks. They were my first "pattern" socks. The yarn was Plymouth Sockotta, and the pattern was Conwy, from Nancy Bush's Knitting on the Road. I finished that sock fairly quickly.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Q3DJFsc1fI6x4rNYNNrY3c4aoV0tOSLZVMZzWbPSQJYs8bbwXFIA2R5OyzBFpNDvD9hOOM6ruJgDWFcV9PNvbj6meYDeNA2emqTGZAdrxLM0XyJzJGHubSapw83o3PN-jog7dQ/s1600-h/Conwy+8-3-08.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Q3DJFsc1fI6x4rNYNNrY3c4aoV0tOSLZVMZzWbPSQJYs8bbwXFIA2R5OyzBFpNDvD9hOOM6ruJgDWFcV9PNvbj6meYDeNA2emqTGZAdrxLM0XyJzJGHubSapw83o3PN-jog7dQ/s400/Conwy+8-3-08.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230394877576267538" border="0" /></a><br /></div>I cast on for the second sock yesterday. Yes, this is/was a 17-month case of Second Sock Syndrome. I've knit EIGHT pairs of socks between sock 1 and sock 2.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTC4DEmvD6ddcW5F0xaD0GBabhLgsoxtwxN0LrNSrMFJ8B4Bx17OncKbgkhA0RXGJOhDE-A6LsV4ZDTGBFimirnvxT0ttacp-XBa7elQZBLz1d6S7EZ6UM54yKmoMf_Xaw7GWucg/s1600-h/Spring+Forward.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTC4DEmvD6ddcW5F0xaD0GBabhLgsoxtwxN0LrNSrMFJ8B4Bx17OncKbgkhA0RXGJOhDE-A6LsV4ZDTGBFimirnvxT0ttacp-XBa7elQZBLz1d6S7EZ6UM54yKmoMf_Xaw7GWucg/s400/Spring+Forward.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230394875673498866" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Here's one of the eight pairs. I finished the Spring Forward socks, and I do love them! They're possibly the best-fitting socks I've knit. I can see this pattern becoming the new Monkeys.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9F3jCtzfUNXleDfxnx3CfV3ITt4Gt7jCSm3Fuh8EOiTL0AOZIlzbDR4iCuuiAjeOk10aPt_jnq-J0V0nh19y1LoCzkOpMWj6HlkwcmXp3VGUwfzl7LaoIWOs4dhE4Gc6VVLBKRA/s1600-h/Caddie+loves+shoes+2.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9F3jCtzfUNXleDfxnx3CfV3ITt4Gt7jCSm3Fuh8EOiTL0AOZIlzbDR4iCuuiAjeOk10aPt_jnq-J0V0nh19y1LoCzkOpMWj6HlkwcmXp3VGUwfzl7LaoIWOs4dhE4Gc6VVLBKRA/s400/Caddie+loves+shoes+2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230394872824978610" border="0" /></a><br /></div>But certain members of the household just want the shoes...Clarks are the most comfortable shoes I've ever worn, but I don't think I like them quite this much. They aren't quite as dirty as they appear.<br /><br />Incidentally, I was thinking about getting a new camera, since the "down" button on mine is broken. This is the button used to zoom and select new settings. (Slight problem.) I wanted a camera with a macro setting so I could take up-close pictures of my knitting. Well, last night, I *gasp!* picked up the instruction manual for my camera, and it had a section about using the macro setting. So THAT'S what the little tulip button is for!psammeadredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15766727501720382469noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36047590.post-69694966383023580012008-07-26T21:53:00.005-06:002008-07-26T22:27:05.094-06:00Colors, colors, and more colors<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyfo-zRNXaTnbWFwWC0l7sBzPZMWg2G6NsgaOJdd_w5IRVEAWlZQOHucGZng7IiGqeaRc1qCvdNVlUSSmGuy1TmCDvh8nV0kKd3wOrziRJ3jD5R_sY4OU6VAPaUlaGU68MKDJpXQ/s1600-h/Stripey+scarf.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyfo-zRNXaTnbWFwWC0l7sBzPZMWg2G6NsgaOJdd_w5IRVEAWlZQOHucGZng7IiGqeaRc1qCvdNVlUSSmGuy1TmCDvh8nV0kKd3wOrziRJ3jD5R_sY4OU6VAPaUlaGU68MKDJpXQ/s400/Stripey+scarf.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227537645440169106" border="0" /></a><br /></div>In the knitting guild, we have swap meets twice a year. Last March, I got several balls of someone's handspun. It's going to be a striped scarf. I love how different brown yarns can be!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJOxhbroLcBmEvcNAHmOh2vSEd7VOGut0OBkp72Dx4XAX3Cm2NsB7-BKKhzwIzE_o_tkeMaz99xXXUWiFpjccUPsIl27U8j6g8-V-24lVFWDSkyWynz9e7BVaiGrHMbPcGm6TX2Q/s1600-h/Touch+of+Whimsy+Scarf.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJOxhbroLcBmEvcNAHmOh2vSEd7VOGut0OBkp72Dx4XAX3Cm2NsB7-BKKhzwIzE_o_tkeMaz99xXXUWiFpjccUPsIl27U8j6g8-V-24lVFWDSkyWynz9e7BVaiGrHMbPcGm6TX2Q/s400/Touch+of+Whimsy+Scarf.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227537650451834530" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Here's a finished (-ish) object from the Malabrigo Magic Yarn Ball swap.<br />Pattern: A Touch of Whimsy scarf<br />Yarn: Malabrigo Worsted, in Water Green (1 ball)<br />Needles: US 8. I used the Brittany needles Katy sent me, and they're lovely!<br />Cast on: 7/11/08<br />Cast off: 7/15/08<br />I really enjoyed this pattern. It's easy to memorize and interesting enough to keep your attention (which is a big deal for me!). The only problem? It's awfully short. So it might be frogged to make something else. The Malabrigo is too good to waste on a project I won't wear.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLpRquZiLo3BpECOH_Y2X8yPB3dAuCgkvB0hjPJ22HWsgAQKXbGn1NCtNejHNgRMDtNxtnKJmadqdaU4SKDPOjWEgIE2VhyZ8KhO4jtDdwyQZ9Cj-0pXhpEU7avdweWvslR7ShsA/s1600-h/Touch+of+Whimsy+detail.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLpRquZiLo3BpECOH_Y2X8yPB3dAuCgkvB0hjPJ22HWsgAQKXbGn1NCtNejHNgRMDtNxtnKJmadqdaU4SKDPOjWEgIE2VhyZ8KhO4jtDdwyQZ9Cj-0pXhpEU7avdweWvslR7ShsA/s400/Touch+of+Whimsy+detail.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227537648406303010" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Here's a detail shot of the scarf. I love how there are cables and lace in it, but it's not too busy.<br /><br />I also did some hand-dyeing this past week.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiflRjfV5ekHscTXnplyWwCAfPX6KYESy-cztuvejIZyJkOb5edHFHU5l_WJIKstHIHlLwalAlTDyHxGQT9hoiwMrcLQWXzHy2N3WY0cFkNYF3UfAo4ZhdrZITE3pt1F3gy7qp5qw/s1600-h/Giant+skein.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiflRjfV5ekHscTXnplyWwCAfPX6KYESy-cztuvejIZyJkOb5edHFHU5l_WJIKstHIHlLwalAlTDyHxGQT9hoiwMrcLQWXzHy2N3WY0cFkNYF3UfAo4ZhdrZITE3pt1F3gy7qp5qw/s400/Giant+skein.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227537358860228002" border="0" /></a><br /></div>First, I made a giant skein. (Pardon the stuff on my dresser.)<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggZqSzxW_zDFeVK4HrA0mX7Vkbm3BMjKAa0KptbKlh5sNkNbFuumhUj9Bh3StaNSsXU__F9QG7D0JDd9IvtPLO-Nb_xG2WVrg9CTFDHz-FcNlERH64D6DxKbS8Bqmoq7gxivZVWg/s1600-h/Rainbow+soaking.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggZqSzxW_zDFeVK4HrA0mX7Vkbm3BMjKAa0KptbKlh5sNkNbFuumhUj9Bh3StaNSsXU__F9QG7D0JDd9IvtPLO-Nb_xG2WVrg9CTFDHz-FcNlERH64D6DxKbS8Bqmoq7gxivZVWg/s400/Rainbow+soaking.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227537655122919810" border="0" /></a><br /></div>I dyed it with egg dye in ~24 inch segments. It took about 15-20 minutes for the color to set in the microwave.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxHpKf68ZZtyFRGD7uDdNLwMMlZ6e9nLN-07xE0p7xmFHjAAzIIQ4Cc2zitRfGLVj6ClTPFDrKskwGPW_WHr9SNHXm6x31uFzutsj04dg01ovgNT1hANIK3xR9ZDpXfM8X4O5ifQ/s1600-h/Rainbow+drying.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxHpKf68ZZtyFRGD7uDdNLwMMlZ6e9nLN-07xE0p7xmFHjAAzIIQ4Cc2zitRfGLVj6ClTPFDrKskwGPW_WHr9SNHXm6x31uFzutsj04dg01ovgNT1hANIK3xR9ZDpXfM8X4O5ifQ/s400/Rainbow+drying.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227537362181715938" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Here it is drying in my bathtub.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoQKGEpGDvj0_6PieqCKlsuWExb7vmjGmCYCa9qltQFsCGMBh7e06aGI7Oqyq5oiAHMkLORcO-Uz44hwRM29GHFswSEaPn6IoCfQYpJLxeJ_hqXrD0I3kWtjO-QzmE3tqJRgJAnA/s1600-h/Rainbow+wound.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoQKGEpGDvj0_6PieqCKlsuWExb7vmjGmCYCa9qltQFsCGMBh7e06aGI7Oqyq5oiAHMkLORcO-Uz44hwRM29GHFswSEaPn6IoCfQYpJLxeJ_hqXrD0I3kWtjO-QzmE3tqJRgJAnA/s400/Rainbow+wound.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227537366510008866" border="0" /></a><br /></div>And here it is, all wound up and ready to go!<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-vOrJFBhKVyBKhM3eY2r9BTedIDuBeFa1ZMCdmkZwj-pUaA3veagssEiqnH8tJGfZhXuS_aE_ci_Ojxx_rldQueOM3IWrX48nM8J-apw2xN2WnLb676jAhnhUdde51UUwjgR_UA/s1600-h/Spring+Forward+detail.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-vOrJFBhKVyBKhM3eY2r9BTedIDuBeFa1ZMCdmkZwj-pUaA3veagssEiqnH8tJGfZhXuS_aE_ci_Ojxx_rldQueOM3IWrX48nM8J-apw2xN2WnLb676jAhnhUdde51UUwjgR_UA/s400/Spring+Forward+detail.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227537364912162450" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Is it just me, or do patterned socks get knit way faster than plain stockinette ones? It seemed like it only took a couple hours to do the whole patterned leg.<br />Yarn: Lang Yarns Jawoll Color Aktion, in the ever-so-poetic colorway 132.0188<br />Pattern: <a href="http://knitty.com/ISSUEsummer08/PATTspringforward.html">Spring Forward</a><br />Needles: US 1<br />Cast on: 7/21/08 (I think - it's been sitting around in my bag languishing in 1x1 ribbing for a while)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEVDTRNPZBCWk5Gk6MUNUpjgcgZBtnDIpir4UW1gss3qvThUCKA2ZDT-6q9-lmJ43yCtf3-L7-gXBEIJlY-CGy-vyddgmE0M0cezaAkfJC6o2_0rgPCjKiFI9eOGdJy18tnBojxA/s1600-h/Basil+sitting.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEVDTRNPZBCWk5Gk6MUNUpjgcgZBtnDIpir4UW1gss3qvThUCKA2ZDT-6q9-lmJ43yCtf3-L7-gXBEIJlY-CGy-vyddgmE0M0cezaAkfJC6o2_0rgPCjKiFI9eOGdJy18tnBojxA/s400/Basil+sitting.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227537353933553714" border="0" /></a><br /></div>And now, a Basil update - remember this little guy? Look how big he is now! He spent the night at our house earlier this week. Aside from a couple of accidents, he did really well. (I think my brother feeds him sulfur bricks, though. Phew!)psammeadredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15766727501720382469noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36047590.post-52308983979028826542008-07-10T19:21:00.003-06:002008-07-10T19:40:35.068-06:00Malabrigo madnessI have two Malabrigo FO's to show you!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvqx4VeaqlaEK76qzLjyH5HsxmGI_FGa7QiK4r4QPMTQVXMZwL__WrhiVhm6ow8iCYBRToz7ALeJ_1e6H0A2pNgfy3baEMbv4wnr935LhK18oyyNvTmOdC9DyyYjTgqLzEtdhRsw/s1600-h/Coronet+7-9-08.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvqx4VeaqlaEK76qzLjyH5HsxmGI_FGa7QiK4r4QPMTQVXMZwL__WrhiVhm6ow8iCYBRToz7ALeJ_1e6H0A2pNgfy3baEMbv4wnr935LhK18oyyNvTmOdC9DyyYjTgqLzEtdhRsw/s400/Coronet+7-9-08.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221562186772237714" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Up first, we have a Coronet from Knitty.com in Peach Tree, with some variations - fewer cable repeats, more stitches picked up for the hat itself, and no flipped-up cable band.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkGStAHgBglwtEnehRN_QRrSvYZ5cNKjZ4vm4dKb5Kn6_HjroyPKIUJ_YDbIs5SOuCHAmRJ5NWPYX3F-aodT3B7UAMjrufVKvE-g0C6Bdv1HgAE16fhi0eaKjTKdf9jJ5W_sMX3w/s1600-h/Coronet-ish.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkGStAHgBglwtEnehRN_QRrSvYZ5cNKjZ4vm4dKb5Kn6_HjroyPKIUJ_YDbIs5SOuCHAmRJ5NWPYX3F-aodT3B7UAMjrufVKvE-g0C6Bdv1HgAE16fhi0eaKjTKdf9jJ5W_sMX3w/s400/Coronet-ish.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221562184202980978" border="0" /></a><br /></div>This was a super-quick project - less than 24 hours from start to finish.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiURHfqYfht7G5VlyhuXxBG4BD7fLGT3r1uBKPW-syAkZXBmuxJEk7TyB2TWWy-NTvqtvRZnykb7UkHHjujkExlslfuUbhAQG_bGpXHM4KXC7bhmQqTX0U3FliiM3C0wvGaefodIg/s1600-h/Linen+scarf+1.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiURHfqYfht7G5VlyhuXxBG4BD7fLGT3r1uBKPW-syAkZXBmuxJEk7TyB2TWWy-NTvqtvRZnykb7UkHHjujkExlslfuUbhAQG_bGpXHM4KXC7bhmQqTX0U3FliiM3C0wvGaefodIg/s400/Linen+scarf+1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221562186217357074" border="0" /></a><br /></div>When I was at the Gourmet Yarn Company last week, I got a ball of Malabrigo Worsted in Noviembre. It's a mixture of dark green, rose, orange, and brown. The rose was so pretty in the skein, but as I said before, pink and I don't play nicely together. But one of my friends is moving to a colder state in a few weeks, and she loves dark rose.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-qXQj2mtSQb0bOcQt2ibWhp25xhWAmacq2MFM0VqwD1gak-3ZUprEqV41AF9o6LMfirercmSO6gsLpfjdjiTBrz6xOZFoumkZWiR7DYff1uMMnMYrhDBcdjBeKHt-S6VCo54P2g/s1600-h/Linen+scarf+detail+2.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-qXQj2mtSQb0bOcQt2ibWhp25xhWAmacq2MFM0VqwD1gak-3ZUprEqV41AF9o6LMfirercmSO6gsLpfjdjiTBrz6xOZFoumkZWiR7DYff1uMMnMYrhDBcdjBeKHt-S6VCo54P2g/s400/Linen+scarf+detail+2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221562193032973506" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqnXKhHzs_YtMW8Qy3jnWgDi323Cmuisa89XXzHdZpbIMc2Ynnd3k4bWUBhaHtnmJ4JsxoYZKSRHTkvAhrDm-hZ8tjmB9zKTlFuDRdv0-m17CCIeLLVnKNdKu0uY8Okaq3yiq7EQ/s1600-h/Linen+texture+detail.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqnXKhHzs_YtMW8Qy3jnWgDi323Cmuisa89XXzHdZpbIMc2Ynnd3k4bWUBhaHtnmJ4JsxoYZKSRHTkvAhrDm-hZ8tjmB9zKTlFuDRdv0-m17CCIeLLVnKNdKu0uY8Okaq3yiq7EQ/s400/Linen+texture+detail.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221562194965015010" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I used a very interesting stitch for this scarf. It's called the Linen stitch. Every other stitch is slipped with the yarn on the "wrong" side - in front for the knit rows, in the back for the purl rows. The result is a dense but still draping fabric that DOES NOT CURL (woohoo!). Since each stitch is slipped once, you need larger needles than the ball band suggests (I used size 10 needles with Malabrigo Worsted). I love how the slipped stitches break up the color repeats. Another interesting aspect of this stitch is that the knit side is almost completely flat, like woven fabric, while the purl side has raised bumps.<br /></div>psammeadredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15766727501720382469noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36047590.post-66991353378814872382008-07-05T20:25:00.004-06:002008-07-05T20:40:56.893-06:00Magic Yarn Ball Goodness!I'm in the Malabrigo Swap Group at Ravelry, and the current swap is a Magic Yarn Ball swap - you wrap a bunch of goodies in yarn, making a "magic yarn ball." It's lots of fun! (Rats - I should have taken a picture of mine before I sent it. Oh well.) I got home from my Grandmother's house this evening to find this on my doorstep! <a href="http://katy-girl.blogspot.com/">Thank you, Katy</a>!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguQFPuk38ilwelJuiZWJosUA4YrOW90Kc_Z94VlFHS4qYR-uypQSxzQSdmuzZi3YablPo4KPAfctYWSrRR8KYNc5_fJwi2YJF6h81SpEA6l8xQeOThMK97Vpq-YI1uP4qcfkOp-Q/s1600-h/Box+1.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguQFPuk38ilwelJuiZWJosUA4YrOW90Kc_Z94VlFHS4qYR-uypQSxzQSdmuzZi3YablPo4KPAfctYWSrRR8KYNc5_fJwi2YJF6h81SpEA6l8xQeOThMK97Vpq-YI1uP4qcfkOp-Q/s400/Box+1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219722124178141522" border="0" /></a><br /></div>It's a box within a box! Curiouser and curiouser!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqpxgUPhJp7jmKZOnf6_q7r-al5vbeI_XqfxV2cFbqHKuRyg-fDgFoKOFVJVJqYQtHADHHBUMNCvuF2bjupEXz3AvYzpSui6GmzDR2wPVl-oN9QC0u67S72Vyk92aH_35GCaxnmg/s1600-h/Box+2.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqpxgUPhJp7jmKZOnf6_q7r-al5vbeI_XqfxV2cFbqHKuRyg-fDgFoKOFVJVJqYQtHADHHBUMNCvuF2bjupEXz3AvYzpSui6GmzDR2wPVl-oN9QC0u67S72Vyk92aH_35GCaxnmg/s400/Box+2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219722125182671250" border="0" /></a><br /></div>I see green. Me likes. And a teapot. Me likes even better!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgmBGlapH6LMkfOhGbdTIKEpT0xVwBnQRFIPDcgPja8qV40Ws8cYbX1wH3QK42Q7GaWOAWlriPQMlF2slqNnHm_nqs40GPUoPN5KKv7AeRa-AufVH6khmHqIfRL5F1hnsjLHAWHg/s1600-h/Box+3.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgmBGlapH6LMkfOhGbdTIKEpT0xVwBnQRFIPDcgPja8qV40Ws8cYbX1wH3QK42Q7GaWOAWlriPQMlF2slqNnHm_nqs40GPUoPN5KKv7AeRa-AufVH6khmHqIfRL5F1hnsjLHAWHg/s400/Box+3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219722129040530002" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">And the total count: a wee teapot (it's the perfect size! my other teapot's a tad big for one tea bag), a wee pot of honey, two tasty teas (English Breakfast and Earl Grey, which is now brewing), a tea strainer, a bag of pretty stitch markers, a Ravelry pin (!), two samples of Soak wool wash in Citrus and Flora (haven't tried those scents yet!), a pair of Brittany straight needles (size 8), a skein of worsted Malabrigo in Water Green (a color I've been coveting), and a skein of laceweight Malabrigo in Verde Esperanza (another color I've been coveting!). What a fantastic MYB! Thanks again, Katy!<br /></div></div>psammeadredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15766727501720382469noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36047590.post-42144320883994867032008-07-02T21:31:00.002-06:002008-07-02T21:43:28.723-06:00Cute alert<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj46VqwBLTazZCAw6t_63H6QcGyQUYdK0s0ef7VG7xEBQUONedeuZWszu-_o2MaI6K7HLPDOhnVW0RJANRxyB0ACYNOR262jvai4lk7pEo_dTcVJAvbNYdx2SDFyyr10taYpwfM_g/s1600-h/Hadley's+dress+2.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj46VqwBLTazZCAw6t_63H6QcGyQUYdK0s0ef7VG7xEBQUONedeuZWszu-_o2MaI6K7HLPDOhnVW0RJANRxyB0ACYNOR262jvai4lk7pEo_dTcVJAvbNYdx2SDFyyr10taYpwfM_g/s400/Hadley's+dress+2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218625374304102482" border="0" /></a><br /></div>I finished the <a href="http://lallana7.blogspot.com/2007/07/el-patrn-tura-maeve.html">Tura Maeve dress</a>! It's just in time, too - the intended recipient will be delivered on Tuesday. I'm very pleased with how it (FINALLY) turned out. The hardest part was the skirt. It wasn't that it was difficult. It was the fact that there are (not counting the increase rows) 10,752 knit stitches in that little skirt. Thanks for showing me the pattern, Pat!<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Nxah1IA6H_AAFQLZuisTCb1kOZcvyt01hubwYchJhwVO2cjM8bLT8e1TWOtxuN8spWZP42ZpMsZHt9wKer1HxiN-f7NAxjPKMgiDNAq7L5H3n1fxAltXGaOk2s4YfJoskC2bTw/s1600-h/Noviembre.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Nxah1IA6H_AAFQLZuisTCb1kOZcvyt01hubwYchJhwVO2cjM8bLT8e1TWOtxuN8spWZP42ZpMsZHt9wKer1HxiN-f7NAxjPKMgiDNAq7L5H3n1fxAltXGaOk2s4YfJoskC2bTw/s400/Noviembre.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218625376573901730" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">On Tuesdays, we have a seminar series at work. Usually they're interesting, but last Tuesday's was about the kinetics of drug absorption. (I think I just drooled a bit just typing that.) So I "ran errands" on my lunch break. And by "ran errands," I mean the Gourmet Yarn Company just got in a shipment of Malabrigo, and this lovely ball of worsted in Noviembre followed me home (as did another skein of Oceanos). I love the colors...for someone else. (Pink and I just don't play nicely together.) I'm knitting a linen stitch scarf for a friend who's moving next month. It'll get done much faster if I stop admiring it and just knit the thing! The linen stitch breaks up the colors and doesn't curl.<br /><br />That's all I have time for now. Happy Fourth of July, everyone!<br /></div></div>psammeadredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15766727501720382469noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36047590.post-7032364816611684712008-06-26T17:36:00.003-06:002008-06-26T17:46:13.386-06:00What I've been doing lately<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzFqaZc2CLXsIqJP_iXPPIBbyug_b7-tckDRIQkBGEOMUGOQkduE8FYse9R3Slv9z1iWl7JziDcgw3Jc09CIdIv4qtcg8Vwz4ELAdybDH12J2eWFZrjXc-eqvfE1_jsvAv1Y5Lww/s1600-h/Jam.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzFqaZc2CLXsIqJP_iXPPIBbyug_b7-tckDRIQkBGEOMUGOQkduE8FYse9R3Slv9z1iWl7JziDcgw3Jc09CIdIv4qtcg8Vwz4ELAdybDH12J2eWFZrjXc-eqvfE1_jsvAv1Y5Lww/s400/Jam.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216338766388688354" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Making yummy jam of deliciousness - it doesn't get better than homemade strawberry jam. (Well, actually, homemade strawberry jam and chopped strawberries and vanilla ice cream and chocolate syrup is right up there too.)<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAyPEqrGvgQK4c3upWv7V2ntUPEgjOSJnWR5yyYPjppGF3NEZlmTTQcr-e4mjonATsvLuXvh3T33RorI0XRJYjkpVsvTP6HlDTEgw7cDGGlwN8xylWqd1RZrxU28c8gJaGF1iSjQ/s1600-h/Retro+Redux+Shrug.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAyPEqrGvgQK4c3upWv7V2ntUPEgjOSJnWR5yyYPjppGF3NEZlmTTQcr-e4mjonATsvLuXvh3T33RorI0XRJYjkpVsvTP6HlDTEgw7cDGGlwN8xylWqd1RZrxU28c8gJaGF1iSjQ/s400/Retro+Redux+Shrug.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216338771335695346" border="0" /></a><br />Knitting (and FINISHING!) the Retro Redux Shrug from Lace Style in Malabrigo Verdes - it's sooo soft, and I can't wait until the weather gets just a bit cooler so I can put it on without spontaneously combusting! (hence the lack of modeling shots)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG7aO6LlNQaAKCDuEl8N_SS_OPWGjLXzn86xz-7HHA3QliJ2IePtgbPV8TycKCUYz8BG-1YkVsDjs5FJBLqteD_9POJjgDI3670YUbmzzoqRHJUFDL5HaKIGdeO-_inzWgQ_Jhfw/s1600-h/MORE+SPIDER%21.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG7aO6LlNQaAKCDuEl8N_SS_OPWGjLXzn86xz-7HHA3QliJ2IePtgbPV8TycKCUYz8BG-1YkVsDjs5FJBLqteD_9POJjgDI3670YUbmzzoqRHJUFDL5HaKIGdeO-_inzWgQ_Jhfw/s400/MORE+SPIDER%21.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216338769207297058" border="0" /></a><br />Nearly having a heart attack when this 2-inch-long spider suddenly appeared in the dishes I was putting away!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2-KvM8SDNFRFJm_iyH1T-Ku38SjcsHz-uo3iwR23iQoJVh2xA5JalgsaaC-kBelSjOX3NxYwjoS2iZdQvln2bXiOi-cvK9DiPs9eDgnTNfirk8jGAVCczqF1qYvfT4L9Jre96ww/s1600-h/Tucker+in+wheelbarrow.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2-KvM8SDNFRFJm_iyH1T-Ku38SjcsHz-uo3iwR23iQoJVh2xA5JalgsaaC-kBelSjOX3NxYwjoS2iZdQvln2bXiOi-cvK9DiPs9eDgnTNfirk8jGAVCczqF1qYvfT4L9Jre96ww/s400/Tucker+in+wheelbarrow.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216338777056694402" border="0" /></a><br />Being amused by the antics of my dad and my dog - Tucker's a bit of a ham.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPavhC2nAzGvYADe2OxVIIOUboRpaYqBJ8unIq3f7Tm4vZG8WjFIrFRHrw92xtvQpS_9_Eqxr4JIc5fcnNsl9-l4REecjY3c66o_tK2mCC55MkQOZZQcTgeNrSsra-4j9iqhzrNw/s1600-h/Stormy+sky.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPavhC2nAzGvYADe2OxVIIOUboRpaYqBJ8unIq3f7Tm4vZG8WjFIrFRHrw92xtvQpS_9_Eqxr4JIc5fcnNsl9-l4REecjY3c66o_tK2mCC55MkQOZZQcTgeNrSsra-4j9iqhzrNw/s400/Stormy+sky.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216338775734562962" border="0" /></a><br />Being glad to live in a state with such exciting weather! Bring on the thunderstorms!<br /><br />In other news, look <a href="http://knitty.com/ISSUEsummer08/PATTthira.html">here</a>! Hooray for <a href="http://www.yarnintercept.com/">Beverly</a>!<br /></div>psammeadredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15766727501720382469noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36047590.post-34164410020242359142008-06-08T14:55:00.004-06:002008-06-08T15:33:00.402-06:00New yarn and furry friends<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjn6_wEpfw38UcfZOF977u-tr1qrubFnwUsDicKyFfhZF07jQDgRp-Q4WdhGF0IeV5TLzPKINmNPlMpkuLQO6Gb3bc9zkYoGtckauzWWvrr-gGRcdoPQQw-V60CfsvKu-8FNjVxw/s1600-h/Oceanos+and+needles.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjn6_wEpfw38UcfZOF977u-tr1qrubFnwUsDicKyFfhZF07jQDgRp-Q4WdhGF0IeV5TLzPKINmNPlMpkuLQO6Gb3bc9zkYoGtckauzWWvrr-gGRcdoPQQw-V60CfsvKu-8FNjVxw/s400/Oceanos+and+needles.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209618513331209186" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCWAQp1MTt2ioV9QxymqLXoVF0L-1RPp-vtBNWBrn9hdxGYh1CfXQXCyj7qMkROzpW4czGuUxvKgVRjNLkdxytazEGRvVuDtLpWhXgPfZWEWE_1PensVigeA1NRUIVO7jxLyQs2w/s1600-h/Oceanos+stacked.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCWAQp1MTt2ioV9QxymqLXoVF0L-1RPp-vtBNWBrn9hdxGYh1CfXQXCyj7qMkROzpW4czGuUxvKgVRjNLkdxytazEGRvVuDtLpWhXgPfZWEWE_1PensVigeA1NRUIVO7jxLyQs2w/s400/Oceanos+stacked.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209618531901617346" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmGF8esEqOK1H3kr6bGIMed6kx_D9BsJueXMy7GZl3Gc4c5wiWI1O5YxQI31nmRgGWFkHcV7pdBxvuoy-EAI2cHOXOuFWsLdm6D6K-8Gk8xI3OD1GDxYXZXBmEhkkaWahG3V8l0g/s1600-h/Peach+Tree.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmGF8esEqOK1H3kr6bGIMed6kx_D9BsJueXMy7GZl3Gc4c5wiWI1O5YxQI31nmRgGWFkHcV7pdBxvuoy-EAI2cHOXOuFWsLdm6D6K-8Gk8xI3OD1GDxYXZXBmEhkkaWahG3V8l0g/s400/Peach+Tree.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209618548084646738" border="0" /></a><br />One of the benefits of Ravelry is that you can trade out yarn that you're tired of looking at. I had some Schaeffer Anne in a bright yellow-green and Schaeffer Miss Priss in a variegated yellow, blue, and green - both lovely yarns, but my inspiration was waning with both. So I swapped them for some lovely Malabrigo. I received two skeins of Oceanos and one of Peach Tree. Oceanos is a variegated blue, from darkest navy to palest sky, and Peach Tree is a mix of warm peach with olive green.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMNiokJKwPNODrj_ecgpRyG-6OqS3NWpbcxBx9N2FSdI0Pgy7SwkckDAJ6_dEGHu3nnMO0lhZpW5YPSfTFck-8PDqIyULT7Xp0LkQKRwBLr50iTLKOPw_1DKK-uMU8pBUi2NXTdw/s1600-h/Eight+Ball+closeup.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMNiokJKwPNODrj_ecgpRyG-6OqS3NWpbcxBx9N2FSdI0Pgy7SwkckDAJ6_dEGHu3nnMO0lhZpW5YPSfTFck-8PDqIyULT7Xp0LkQKRwBLr50iTLKOPw_1DKK-uMU8pBUi2NXTdw/s400/Eight+Ball+closeup.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209618033663063218" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZU29rikQXSVeK3A5nY0ZJc68TUj-7sB63jo9uTYmDoLCAW5ZghkN6S1BNnFABjbsrVcR21oRqwby9hyphenhyphenkxFnDUWwXzzpM1xcmuLWWUPNluJ07ReGwrTIcmLxqGGheZSKxMCw0-Jw/s1600-h/Elvira+and+Magnum.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZU29rikQXSVeK3A5nY0ZJc68TUj-7sB63jo9uTYmDoLCAW5ZghkN6S1BNnFABjbsrVcR21oRqwby9hyphenhyphenkxFnDUWwXzzpM1xcmuLWWUPNluJ07ReGwrTIcmLxqGGheZSKxMCw0-Jw/s400/Elvira+and+Magnum.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209618081991839138" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzKtqaS0s7ByxUUJYm63eiPjCAw99gYp8gfmaw2rNDq7KIHrpwmTr8P0dfwA4CAsNP6iwwtn5_G6PVtgh1V97QwoHvKdSw4p3YhyphenhyphenT_ehjvNTPwqaZyhCwKOOAXCNkAaFTCXPRvwg/s1600-h/Gate+to+Nowhere.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzKtqaS0s7ByxUUJYm63eiPjCAw99gYp8gfmaw2rNDq7KIHrpwmTr8P0dfwA4CAsNP6iwwtn5_G6PVtgh1V97QwoHvKdSw4p3YhyphenhyphenT_ehjvNTPwqaZyhCwKOOAXCNkAaFTCXPRvwg/s400/Gate+to+Nowhere.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209618090775569202" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf1InJnFnYpOjfm6W5PT7UHAesl4appJWumpVVNKuLSD7ccAYgIW6zmyed6RE-JxhcJnWXA2YyMPeoOJnI07K66NsYTyQwewj00bKzE054gAuY90YmqtWmaV3KI8vZE1UYmC1L7A/s1600-h/Magnum+goofing+off.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf1InJnFnYpOjfm6W5PT7UHAesl4appJWumpVVNKuLSD7ccAYgIW6zmyed6RE-JxhcJnWXA2YyMPeoOJnI07K66NsYTyQwewj00bKzE054gAuY90YmqtWmaV3KI8vZE1UYmC1L7A/s400/Magnum+goofing+off.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209618094308995890" border="0" /></a><br />Yesterday, we had a family reunion for my maternal grandfather's side. (And before you ask, no, these are not my family members!) Family reunions are usually almost as exciting as renewing your driver's license, but one of my cousins-several-times-removed) had a spectacular idea. She brought gumdrops and spaghetti, and the kids could build towers. So of course, "the cousins" (me, my brother, my two cousins, and one cousin's boyfriend) had to get in on the fun! (And for the record, my 19-year-old brother was the youngest of the bunch.) One of my cousins is an engineer, so her tower made it to almost four feet tall. My other cousin and brother made a fortress-thing, complete with gumdrop people furnished by yours truly. My cousin's boyfriend's tower wound up looking an awful lot like Barad Dur from Lord of the Rings. I think this may become a family tradition!<br /><br />After the reunion, we went back to my grandmother's house. She has a small farm, complete with Eight-Ball the Llama, Magnum and Elvira the miniature donkeys, chickens, and peacocks. Eight-Ball looks a bit intimidating, but he's such a marshmallow. He loves to lie out in the sun on his back on hot days. The first time my granddad saw him out there with his legs sticking straight up and his neck turned back, he was sure he had a dead llama. Llamas can be such drama queens.<br /><br />Magnum and Elvira are my buddies. They're getting up there - I think Elvira is at least 23 years old! - but they're so sweet. The old proverb about donkeys being stubborn is mostly true. There are only two things these two will move for - sweet feed and petting. Give them a few scratches behind the ears, and they'll follow you anywhere. Magnum especially loves hugs.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5FibdrSSrWBkAOzdVSybJtfwpkb5XWTxX_r57s8SE_O1rY36Dd2dwxzmKp_GopvLjhl8bTElDNtBzsVUgaHg8SZcKsCPLIOsCy2ngjET2w6BZsrrbxayuOc5P1Y_JyVfoIuwlbQ/s1600-h/Cabled+headband.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5FibdrSSrWBkAOzdVSybJtfwpkb5XWTxX_r57s8SE_O1rY36Dd2dwxzmKp_GopvLjhl8bTElDNtBzsVUgaHg8SZcKsCPLIOsCy2ngjET2w6BZsrrbxayuOc5P1Y_JyVfoIuwlbQ/s400/Cabled+headband.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209618059774651298" border="0" /></a><br /><br />As I was cleaning my closet (yikes!) the other day, I found a partial ball of wool left over from my Tangled Yoke Cardigan. So I made a little headband from it. It's very easy.<br /><br />CO 3 sts on a circular or double-pointed needle. Work in I-cord for about 6-7 inches. (You want it to be long enough to tie behind your head.)<br />Start working in garter stitch; k1, kf&b, k to end; repeat until you have 12 stitches.<br />Start cable pattern:<br />Row 1: k2, p1, k6, p1, k2.<br />Row 2: k3, p6, k3.<br />Repeat rows 1 & 2 twice more.<br />Row 7: k2, p1, c3b, p1, k2<br />Row 8: k3, p6, k3<br />Repeat until cable section reaches across your head from ear to ear. (Cable pattern is VERY stretchy.)<br />Start garter stitch end: k1, ssk, k to end; repeat until you have 3 stitches.<br />Work 3-stitch I-cord to the same length as the first I-cord. Bind off and weave in ends.<br /><br /></div>psammeadredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15766727501720382469noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36047590.post-53203073187180521902008-06-03T21:05:00.004-06:002008-06-03T21:19:35.671-06:00Is it winter yet?I need to accept the fact that I do, in fact, live in Oklahoma, a state of four seasons - almost summer, summer, HOT summer, and Christmas. From about May to September, you don't even need to check the weather forecast - it'll be HOT, HUMID, and WINDY. Yet somehow I've chosen to live my life surrounded by wool. Go figure.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1thcIxQycNBgedu4_s3QfuBt5UrLp_niRPVcpIj9wpS4PNZ3BgHsvwDXQ2gZovOI7M6PE4sj0yA0pC4V8rCWsKjKfFAunRqVh7bwN6l9s2w_1VBwbTYpMUsLoN36VT2gyj8LDdA/s1600-h/Emerald.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1thcIxQycNBgedu4_s3QfuBt5UrLp_niRPVcpIj9wpS4PNZ3BgHsvwDXQ2gZovOI7M6PE4sj0yA0pC4V8rCWsKjKfFAunRqVh7bwN6l9s2w_1VBwbTYpMUsLoN36VT2gyj8LDdA/s400/Emerald.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207857879659569762" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHNei2EIQaxfM9XG3JSrTFgJD2ib7aEEIgxkO_OV_3pS3kdhuXke4Nq3x4SCv3F3LAp_ljmlDdXGy-x5IcFupeLlFGFH8PGhPGmPbbaPLiSvq0joEYUBF6cJWYrG1Q2Z4KK-t5HA/s1600-h/Emerald+detail.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHNei2EIQaxfM9XG3JSrTFgJD2ib7aEEIgxkO_OV_3pS3kdhuXke4Nq3x4SCv3F3LAp_ljmlDdXGy-x5IcFupeLlFGFH8PGhPGmPbbaPLiSvq0joEYUBF6cJWYrG1Q2Z4KK-t5HA/s400/Emerald+detail.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207857894800437762" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Pattern: <a href="http://knitty.com/ISSUEwinter06/PATTemerald.html">Emerald</a>, from Knitty.com<br />Yarn: Recycled Greek wool<br />Needles: US 10<br />Cast on: May 22, 2008<br />Cast off: June 3, 2008<br /><br />This was a very easy knit. Bulky yarn and size 10 needles make it an <span style="font-style: italic;">almost </span>instant gratification project. I still need to find a button - you can't see it in the picture, but there's a five-stitch buttonhole in the ribbing. I have a few ideas, but I might wind up waiting till winter to pick one.<br /><br />The shawl collar was much easier than I expected. I messed up on part of the directions, so it's a bit larger than the pattern specifies, but I like it with a slightly bigger collar. It's a big, snuggly, oversized sweater that I'm looking forward to wearing when it's cooler than the surface of the sun outside.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8OKl5CuW-PdWrBg3lw6_6wNJP5G4qagSRTazaY33Db23WC9XoSaYyLej1BXgoJa0KjRJuYEXBf8Uz1YxfiFScQgEh-kTsc25dZpGUrZJ12JjCI0owkXCu0MB6xgC79iGYF03_5w/s1600-h/Yarn+meter.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8OKl5CuW-PdWrBg3lw6_6wNJP5G4qagSRTazaY33Db23WC9XoSaYyLej1BXgoJa0KjRJuYEXBf8Uz1YxfiFScQgEh-kTsc25dZpGUrZJ12JjCI0owkXCu0MB6xgC79iGYF03_5w/s400/Yarn+meter.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207857901739721298" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Here's my new knitting toy! It's a yarn meter that I ordered from Amazon.com. With all the recycling I do, it'll come in very handy. Speaking of Amazon.com, I just discovered that you can get YARN there. Lorna's Laces, Misti Alpaca, Cascade, Plymouth...if only they had Malabrigo on there too!<br /></div></div></div></div>psammeadredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15766727501720382469noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36047590.post-1686934028524007662008-05-29T08:19:00.004-06:002008-05-29T08:33:32.100-06:00Day offI'm taking today off. Due to some contamination problems with our cells, I have absolutely nothing to do in the lab today, and I have a 35 mile round-trip commute (which is almost 1 1/2 gallons of gas). I told my coworkers to call me if they needed me at all. I have a ton and a half of stuff to do around the house.<br /><br />So why do I feel so guilty for not working?! Maybe my conscience is hyperactive.<br /><br />I do have pictures to show you, though.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNsokMjwIfaRWOJTTeeAeQ837CCDRJ6BbHclbJ19Nbb44LAUctANwiDeazzkA0r7r18bTHA6rHsUNb7Vx9U6xJafnE1F573brNpf6tt1QC_qL3GAJrdnbb-9l4hQBPunqv-biQ1Q/s1600-h/Finished+Juliet.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNsokMjwIfaRWOJTTeeAeQ837CCDRJ6BbHclbJ19Nbb44LAUctANwiDeazzkA0r7r18bTHA6rHsUNb7Vx9U6xJafnE1F573brNpf6tt1QC_qL3GAJrdnbb-9l4hQBPunqv-biQ1Q/s400/Finished+Juliet.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205805536999878994" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Here's Juliet!<br />Good: incredibly yummy yarn (Malabrigo Worsted in Tiger Lily), easy but interesting pattern, pretty design<br />Bad: can't decide what to do regarding buttons on the bodice, can't wear it until it cools down quite significantly<br /><br />I've also started <a href="http://knitty.com/ISSUEwinter06/PATTemerald.html">Emerald </a>from Knitty in some recycled wool from Greece! It's still got the lanolin in it, which unfortunately doesn't agree with my hands. The bulky yarn works up wonderfully quickly. I cast on last Thursday on size 10 needles (for once, I got gauge with the suggested needles!), and all I have to do now is the shawl collar and ribbing. I think I'll do a belt instead of the button.<br /><br />We've also got some new visitors out back.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3QQJ5eMswhZfsbcai2t10q0L2YNDMCVcByLgn6U-r-Iu1ErAWZUa9EvSkCklNzSCpFiQtqeUz-jxUIQrbQcJhilYFjE8ZHii3uuRcvtl-xiiA_RXbhBNqHU1xTk0MMxuyOwsxQg/s1600-h/Turkey+and+Pheasant.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3QQJ5eMswhZfsbcai2t10q0L2YNDMCVcByLgn6U-r-Iu1ErAWZUa9EvSkCklNzSCpFiQtqeUz-jxUIQrbQcJhilYFjE8ZHii3uuRcvtl-xiiA_RXbhBNqHU1xTk0MMxuyOwsxQg/s400/Turkey+and+Pheasant.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205805545589813602" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikrMAqCa4w_PnnxriGa3MNGJvr6L6PNbHr6JiGkWWWmCiwiWcGp-yoUwhWRy7Rkp4RuepuVhDmWQ4vaTGcpHRPUNOnjrjcFz0nN1kjR7Kape_1nJOz9pMpn0jNK3s-sYavs5PgHg/s1600-h/Ducks+2.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikrMAqCa4w_PnnxriGa3MNGJvr6L6PNbHr6JiGkWWWmCiwiWcGp-yoUwhWRy7Rkp4RuepuVhDmWQ4vaTGcpHRPUNOnjrjcFz0nN1kjR7Kape_1nJOz9pMpn0jNK3s-sYavs5PgHg/s400/Ducks+2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205805549884780914" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Yes, that's a male pheasant, a female turkey, and two ducks. According to our bird books, pheasants don't get this far south. I beg to differ. Not sure where the ducks came from, since we don't have a pond or anything. The four of them like to hang out in the field behind our house. Last year, we had a pair of turkeys with a baby!<br /></div></div></div></div>psammeadredhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15766727501720382469noreply@blogger.com1