Grab your knitting needles and come relax with me.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Knitting ADD
I started Granny's Shawl yesterday. There really is nothing like the thrill of starting a new knitting project. It's almost as thrilling as finishing a project. Which is why I chose to start the shawl rather than finish the Isobel scarf. Grin.
But, I am feeling guilty...so after a few more rows of the shawl I think I will attend to finishing up Isobel. And if I do that, I can totally kill two birds with one stone, as I need to block that Super Secret Project of mine.
Stats for the shawl. The pattern is entitled: Feather and Fan Comfort Shawl and it's on Knitting-And.com, by Sarah Bradberry. I am of course using that new Marble Chunky I got for the purpose...and I am really loving this yarn. It's very soft and very pretty.
On another (and completely un-related) note, July is National Ice Cream month. I thought you needed to know. I am pestering my husband to buy me some chocolate ice cream.
The best part about vacation for me is vacation yarn shopping! We were so buzzing busy this year it's amazing I got to go to any yarn shops. My mom took me to two yarn shops in the D.C area (I am highly disappointed in her lack of enthusiasm over the 10 other shops she won't look for). And i scored some MORE red lace weight.
It's funny: after YEARS of searching for red lace weight and coming up empty, suddenly I have been able to find some nearly every where I go. I got these pretty specimen (and as you can tell it's rather large) at Aylin's Woolgatherer.
I found some pretty Schaeffer Anne at Knit Happens in Alexandria. My Mom hated trying to park (in the rain no less), but I told her Knit Happens happens to be my favourite yarn store in her area.
I am seeing a pretty elven scarf for this yarn.
We were only in Waynesboro a short time so I couldn't go to my all time favourite yarn shop (poot!), but next year I WILL take myself to On The Lamb (many times in fact!).
On the way our of Myrtle Beach we stopped in Knitting Up A Storm. We got yarn for Granny's Christmas presents and yarn for me.
This is for a warm shawl for Granny, I am thinking a triangle shawl with a feather and fan pattern. Something like this. I might chance up a few things...not sure if I will use the exact stitch pattern. And I will definitely chart it out. Written out lace instructions are just too long and cumbersome.
I will be making some felted slippers with this yarn. Not totally sure what sort...I was thinking I would like a high cuff to keep her ankles warm, but I also like the lower style too. We shall see.
So pretty and soft...I am thinking it will make pretty cowl or something.
I knit quite a bit on vacation--with the 24 drive up (and back) and the driving all over VA and down to SC. Then there's the beach and pool--even with 70+ SPF I still don't spend much time in the sun and water...so I knit under umbrellas.
I knit on my beach sock when I was at the beach and poolside.
I had completed the toe increases before I left for vacation and while on the drive I frogged a few dozen rows. I was going for a pattern but I came to my senses and just kept it simple.
I did bring nearly all my projects, but really the only other project I worked on was the silk Isobel scarf.
It's nearly finished. And in the heat we endured on the drive back...silk was the only fiber I wanted to touch.
I was also on vacation from the Knitting Bunnies, but on the drive back inspiration hit and I got some great ideas for the wildflower scarf that's been simmering in my cerebellum. Now that I am back home, I got some patterns to work on and some gift knitting and perhaps some baby knitting, as well (and NOT for me).
I pretty much spent this weekend knitting socks. I wanted to start my new Corolis Sock before we left for vacation. And then I saw my poor neglected Harry Potter ribbed sock, had to knit on that some. And POOF there went my weekend.
And now I have SOCK pictures!!!
First the Corolis Socks (not sure that will stay the name...whirly socks?).
I am LOVING how the colour is turning out. But next question: which side will be the instep (the top)?
I am leaning toward this side as the top, but I will have a better idea for sure as it progresses. I am still stuck on a name...because the colour of these socks...they need a special nome. Not just Corolis (that's the name of the structure of the socks...and the name is being USED all the time). I like being unique.
I worked the heel on the Harry Potter sock on Saturday, ALL DAY and practically all night. I wanted to finish this heel!!
The new Harry Potter movie is coming out in little less than a month and a friend suggested that wearing them to the film would be Harry-tastic! Grin. I was planning on knee socks...let's see how that works. I was also planning on those ribs doing some traveling up the leg, we'll see how that works out as well.
More Pics!!!
This sock uses the Upstream Sockitecture from Cat Bhordi's book.
I also worked on some jewelry...you can see the results on my other blog and some good news as well. Here's a sneak peek...
My sweet lovely husband found these for me online at Lily Bug Boutique.
I totally squee'd when I opened this up. Even a casual reader of this blog knows I love bees (it's a little obvious). It's so cute!!!
This little darling is going to be pinned right above my Ravelry pin on my knitting bag.
It's roughly the size of a quarter and made of resin. It's adorable.
This pen is FULL of awesomeness!! It also writes beautifully in black ink (my favourite).
Christine even made me a custom bee box to hold the pen!! These are certainly new treasures. Now, I need to find an equally cute/beautiful notebook to go with it. Grin. (I am also a collector of notebooks)
Yeah, so that idea of plain jane sock, lasted all of five minutes. Those that know me well probably snickered while they read my last post, "Birdy, YOU plain jane? You never do plain jane!"
I decided to knit spiraling corolis socks with a whirl pool toe.
I took this yesterday, now I am a full inch in and am about done with the toe increases. (I bought a long awaited book last night and it cut into my knitting time). I also got distracted by another sock. I pulled my Harry Potter sock off the back burner. I discovered I was done with the arch increases and could start the heel. It was so long abandoned, I had to dig around and figure out what the hell I was doing. Grin.
I bought a new sock bag as well, and the bag is the perfect fit for the yarn cake. All snuggly and cozy. ;-)
I am not sure what to call my new socks. So far there is a definite stain glass feel to them. And with the band that will be going up the sock... Shrug. I may cable the band (yeah yeah I can't do simple, can I?).
Hopefully I'll have some good progress pics Tomorrow or Monday.
As a knitter packing (getting ready) for vacation is a bit more involved that it is for the "muggles." Since we go to the same place every year, I already know the locations of all the area yarn shops. Before Ravelry I found them by searching online; now it's easy peasy using the myriad of Ravelry's search features and forums. It is a little known fact that vacation yarn doesn't count in a Yarn Diet. Grin. So for me what's left: what knitting to bring.
I am project whore. I have several going on at once, because for me different projects suit different moods and environments. Example: lace should not be worked while waiting in line at a post office, but a sock or are a simple patterned scarf--totally. Knowing I am going to have a 2 hour wait at a Doctor's office: break out the lace or difficult cables. Nevermind there are different projects that sooth a rumpled or excited spirit. Anyhoo, I must pack accordingly for vacation.
I already decided to start a new plain jane sock (out of that lovely Acaundadia sock yarn I bought last week)--that's gonna be my beach sock or talking with people sock...mindless...just keeps my hands busy. Now car knitting (since we are driving 24 hours to get to Virginia), I will need a varied amount of knitting. I will get bored so I need to have a variety of things to keep me occupied. I am thinking of bringing along my neglected Swallowtail Shawl. I am nearly done and I am working on border nupps (pronounced NUPS!! I am sorry in no way should it be pronounced noops, that us just SILLY. If it was MEANT to be pronounced NOOP then it would either be spelled noop or nupe!!! Sorry small side rant that has been bubbling up for quite awhile) and beading. My only "fear" or concern, is I may finish it while on vacation and will have to wait on blocking until I get home. Yes, stupid concern I know.
As I am trying to decide what to bring, I will invariably just bring all my current projects (at least the top six in my Ravelry project tab). I think the hardest part is to resist the urge to bring virgin yarn, all my Barbara Walker books, and the Knitting Bunnies. YES, the knitting bunnies are staying HOME!! This is a vacation after all...
Thursday my husband and I left San Antonio for our trip to Austin to meet Stephanie Pearl-McPhee, the Yarn Harlot. The plan was to hit several yarn shops on the way up, peddling out Birdy's Knits goodies. (The biggest benefit I've gotten due to Jamey's increased interest in Birdy's Knits and the creation of Birdy's Baubles is that now he takes me to yarn shops without me asking {read: begging, pleading} and willing with out grumping buys me yarn). Before I left the house I made sure to dig into my personal stash of Shiner Black: I've been keeping up with the Yarn Harlot's blog and knew she's had an extraordinarily hard week. She needed the beer...she needed Beer O'Clock to be NOW!
We left a bit late so our trip to The Yellow Sweater in Buda had to be skipped and post-poned. I have been dying to go and support this particular yarn shop because she started and is running her business without any debt what so ever...it's a purely cash funded business. I LOVE this. We are currently trying to get out of debt and have eschewed getting into more debt for the past 3 years (we had a small hiccup when we had that car accident and had to take out a loan to buy our van. 2006 was a BAD year that ate our savings and our emergency fund).
We hit The Knitting Nest, in south Austin. In which I found some LOVELY and red lace Malabrigo.
I am now the proud owner of 6 hanks of Malabrigo lace...some browns, blues, lavenders, greens, and now RED!! One of these days I will make some very pretty somethings. I love this lace so much...I just want to make a nest out of it!
Then on to Hill Country Weavers...Yarn Heaven!! I always forget to take pictures of this lovely space. I think it's the yarn fumes and the yarn overload. It swipes my mind. There's yarn coming at your from above, below, straight at you...everywhere you look you see yarn. I rescued these two luscious hanks.
More RED!! I am seeing a gorgeous wee shall. Maybe with cherries.
I almost walked out of the store without this sock yarn...thank dia I saw it because the LOVE!!
I love it so much that I made a collage. Just to show y'all every beauteous wonderful angle this hank possesses. I am not sure what sort of socks I'll make. I am leaning toward plain stockinette socks, but depending on how it winds up I may make up a simple pattern.
It's Araucania Yarn Itata Multy. It's 70% superwash wool, 15% silk and 15% bamboo. I didn't realise the content until I got home, I was so mesmerised by the colour way.
Okay...yes, I did meet the Yarn Harlot, but come on ya gotta enjoy the YARN LOVE!! I need another moment with the pretty fiber. So pretty.
Yes, after a teeny detour we made it to Book People to hear Stephanie speak at about 5 pm. Two hours before her talk, but I wanted a good seat. And who did I see, but the lovely Diane! I sat right next to her front and center. I have missed her...but she is nearly done with school and we all know how tough that final sprint is (so I forgive her. Grin). By getting there early, I was trapped by Book People's rigid no large bag rule (others skated by), so for the evening this was my knitting "bag."
It was amazingly heavy: I carry too much stuff. BUT, I need all that knitting, what if I get bored? What if it's the wrong sort of knitting: I need more or less attention. A knitter must always be prepared.
Unexpectedly, my Austin friend, Becky (a fresh law school grad!) snagged me to go upstairs to a private reception for Stephanie. Woot!! Private time with Stephanie and the Doctor!!
Stephanie was always surrounded by gads of Knitters...
But Becky and I got in there. Pretty much by throwing beer into the mix. We were waiting out turn and one of her friends from Austin was apologising that she forgot the Shiner for Stephanie. Seeing her much put out, I piped up, "Oh don't worry! I got some Shiner in here," pointing to the TinyTardis hanging off my arm, "for you!" She was so relieved and incredulous, she grabbed by arm, "Really!?!?" Yes really just for you!
She was also thrilled with TinyTen.
She even remembered meeting TinyTen's cousin (or is it brother) KnitTen. (TinyTen is crocheted). She agreed to pose. And she even took a picture of me and Ten for HER blog. Woot!
(So! I figure THIS out that night. I met and touched the Yarn Harlot. SHE was on The Graham Norton Show. And David Tennant was on the Graham Norton Show! It's sorta a connection, like only 3 degrees of separation! Yes, I am nuts and grasping at straws but it gives me a tickle.)
Becky also taught Stephanie the Hook 'Em Horns hand gesture.
Suna was also there. I am so proud of her: at first she said she was too shy to go up to Stephanie. And before I could grab her arm and drag her over there; she dived in head first and had a great chat with Stephanie(they have lot's in common).
I also got to see CJ and Judy from my Lone Star State Knitters yahoo group. I love catching up with far flung friends.
Okay down to the reading.
Lookie at all the knitters...the coolest thing, they are all knitting in sync. I have never been around this many knitters ALL knitting. It was fabulous.
I did forget all the knitters that sat to the left of us. Sorry!
Okay the main event. Spike introduced Stephanie. Spike blogs for Hill Country Weavers at Knit Buzz.
Stephanie waiting in the wings to make her grand (read second) entrance!
Pay no attention to the yarn hoarder behind the curtain!!
Stephanie's talk was AMAZING! She talked a lot about how misunderstood knitters are and how we span across all the boxes society seeks to place us into. We are a rainbow of deliciousness. We are not one religion, political ideology, gender, race, age group, economic position...we represent everyone--with one thing tying us together: our love and passion for knitting.
She also shared some AWESOME studies with us...specifically how smart and accepting knitting makes us. My favourite: A study from Cambridge, England (a report of the study and the actual study, for the brainiacs). It explains those that do repetitive, visual and spatial tasks while enduring a trauma are less traumatised. Meaning, knitting helps you cope in the aftermath of a traumatic event. Awesome.
Our favourite (and most ridiculous) part of the study was this:
The question is, how can this knowledge be used? It's not necessarily practical to carry around worry beads or "emergency knitting" for times of stress.
????
I always have knitting on me...heck I have 2 to 3 knitting projects with me at all times. Mainly because I NEED something to do with my hands at all times. For me no knitting would be trauma. Practical? My knitting keeps me from going ape shit from boredom. I also like the new scientific term for knitting: visuospatial task.
All in all Stephanie is a brilliant speaker, humourist and writer...I encourage y'all to see her if you get the chance. And at the very least read her books--they are full of win.
Because I got a change to meet her earlier, I took to the very end of the long line to have my books signed. I got a chance to gab and catch up with my mate David (the other SA knitter that drove up for the event). She signed both my books (I bought her two latest books--Book People ran very short on copies of her book), one for me and one for Anne.
And then she signed the TinyTen's Travel-log...with a special message for her geeky fans:
I had a lovely time, the Yarn Harlot is delightful and funny and is a treasure. I am glad we have her as a fellow knitter.
I have made a few edits (a few pics and paragraphs) since I first posted: because while knitting supposedly gives you a better memory and recall--I, apparently, am too brain damaged to get that benefit.
Well this has been a busy week or so...sorry for the lack of blogging. Between practically losing the mojo and getting ready for my brother's visit (read frantically cleaning the house), life has been both busy and poor blog fodder.
This week or so, I am the proud host to a teeny crocheted version of The Doctor (yes THAT Doctor).
A group I belong to on Ravelry called Who Knits is doing a Traveling Doctor Passalong. So I have been showing the tiny Doctor (heretofore referred to as TinyTen) San Antonio's sights and sounds. You can see all our doings at the Alamo, in my backyard (otherwise known as the Land of the Lost), and at the Ood Bank from last week. This weekend, TinyTen met my brother and his wife AND attended a Texas style Luau BBQ. This week he will meet the Yarn Harlot and help me fold laundry. Here's the Traveling Doctor Photoset.
As for my knitting mojo: eh...I am feeling better about the Super Secret Project. Last week I was about to tear IT and my hair out because of feelings of inferiority and simpleness. So it goes. But I am feeling better about the knitting and I am looking forward to playing with my handmaiden sea silk.
It's a weird thing, creativity. I've always been a bit aggravated with my brand of creativity. I am creative/talented with a lot of things. But none of them exceptional or rather none of them is a stand out. I am slightly musical, more than slightly visual, then there's the making of actual objects and the creating of words and stories...my best. I want to and I am drawn to it all...but I only have so much Muse at one time. The more I write, the less I design. The more I design/draw the less I write. The more I play music, the less I write or design. (Although listening to music does tend to re-fill the creative well and gets the creative juices flowing.) I feel pulled in many many directions.
I desperately need to do a re-design of Dubh Croi, the other blog (not to mention the website my mother wants me to create for her). But, I feel all used up. I have been devoting a lot of energy into designing and writing. I have been neglecting the writer part of me for ages (and I was writer before nearly anything else...I drew and makes paper things before I could write). And I want to stop neglecting the Writer.
I guess I am just a little aggravated with my self right now. And I feel the need to rant about it.
On to other things: I promised pictures. This is the cone of Habu Bamboo, HCW sent me (since they had charged my card for it)...one less thing to wind!!
Jamey ordered this from Amy Designs (it was made esp. for me-feeel the love!) for me as a Mother's Day gift. I absolutely adore it. One, it's a bag (and I love bags...perfect yarn/project bag-just needs a handle); B) it's red, black and gold (my favourite colours); and Lastly, it's ASIAN. LOVE it!
And see how wonderfully my yarn complements it? It will certainly be a pleasure to work with this yarn...it'll be a luxurious wrap someday!
(I also took loads of pictures of my local wildflowers. You can find them in Dubh Croi.)
Oh and because all Knitting Blogs whose writes own cats, must have a mascot or two. Here is one of the kitty mascots. Gina, my funny Ginger Tabby.
I am spending a lot of time at the drawing board, coaxing the Knitting Bunnies I see in my head to come out on paper and later in fiber. It's hard to blog about that process when it's for publication. Knitty's Fall dead line is June 1, and like a masochistic junkie, I am preparing two submissions. I am also fighting looming self doubt. So it goes.
I do have happiness to share. During my knitting retreat, I shopped at Hill Country Weavers...I picked up that gorgeous hank of Prism lacewool and 2 hanks of HabuTextiles Bamboo lace weight. When I got home, Jamey looked over the receipts and noticed I had been charged for 3 hanks instead of the two. Oops! I emailed the owner and she was awesome: gave me the option of a refund or sending me the yarn I bought. Well obviously I got the yarn, money already spent right? And now I can make a massive intricate knitted reproduction of Jason's Golden Fleece (I am on an Ancient Greek kick aren't I?)
And happier news, I just got word that a yahoo group of Texas knitters is doing a KAL of Flit 'N Float! Awww, I feel loved. (Well the scarf feels the love, but it's enough love for me to share, natch!)
Sorry to say I have no pictures. Super Secret Projects just don't photograph well...grin.
Be sure at tune into Blockhead Radio today 6pm eastern/5pm central for the debut of James' new foodie radio show, Chocolate Covered Bacon. Today he features the creator of our name sake, Leslie from Luca Chocolate. Tune it or be square!!
I am knitting with Debbie Bliss's Pure Silk. Ah, it is so nice. Hang around me long enough and you learn that I have a raging selfish need/craving for silk. I will push you out of the way in order to get to the silk bin in a yarn shop (most LYS I have been to keep their yarn organised by fiber, so yes there is a bin or a cubby or a table just for siiiiilllllk). Yum!
Anyhoo I have been saving this silk and this pattern for a year and I finally started it this weekend at WHIBSIB. It's goin' fast, however I have Super Secret deadlines so she'll prolly be ignored till June. Insert sad face here.
Speaking of Super Secret. I lost a whole days worth of work when I realised I had accidently attached a size 4 needle and a size 6 needle to my KP interchangeable cable. (I thought the fabric was looking looser than it ought to). Sigh, so I had to frog and curse and fix the problem. Bleh. (You may have heard me curse on Twitter)
I have about 2 or 3 things (maybe 4) in the Super Secret queue (okay FIVE! The bunnies are jumping!!). So lot's of hinting and tip-toeing and holding of the breath. I can give a hint--they will be scarfish and or stoleish (so shoot me, I LOVE scarves! I love things I can wrap around my self and twirl around myself)
WHIBSIB (What Happens In Buda Stays In Buda), my yearly Knitting Retreat with my beloved gals pals from Lone Star State Knitters was this past weekend. MUCH hilarity ensued and a nice recharge was had.
Pictures!
Flip through that...
My mates and I only went to one yarn shop, Hill Country Weavers. But it's my favourite in that area and I never get to go to it. THIS is yarn heaven. Yarn coming out of bins and shelves at you--it's just the best. And of course I FORGOT to take pictures of the yarn shop. Sigh. But I got stopped by nearly everyone to comment on my Clapotis (rav link). It was cool. I fell in love with some lace weight and of course I took it home.
It's Prism, lacewool...in ember. It screams Autumn! I love what it looks like in the yarn cake as well.
Yes that IS David Tennant...grin.
I also fell in love with this lace weight bamboo from Habu Textiles.
It's GOLD. This is gonna be a FUN lace project to design. It's gonna have to take it's place in the ever growing queue, but it'll be brilliant to work with. My head is dancing with the possibilities.
We also ate lunch at my favourite pub IN THE WORLD. Whose Guinness, I imagine, is comparable to any pub in Dublin--it is THAT good. Smoooooth as silk. They also have fantastic burgers and fries. I already miss it. I also took a few snap shots of my first apartment (it's next door to the pub). Dreary dreary place.
Folks demanded to see the Flit N Float live, and I got many oohs and aahs. I also got to see one of the gals knitting up hers (such a thrill) AND she had me sign her pattern. Grin, I felt like such a rock star. I had a few gals try to nick my Aegis as well... Well, why not it's gorgeous (if I saw so myself). Smirk.
I finished a washcloth--to add to my collection (I need to take pics of all the one's I finished...4 now?) and I started knitting the Isobel (rav link). I haven't taken pics yet, but the link goes to the one that inspired me to use the same yarn, Debbie Bliss-Pure Silk. I need to take a piccie of it--I finally have enough done that pictures make sense.
I am also working on a brand new Super Secret Project. Right now I am swatching--bleh! I swatch ONLY if I ABSOLUTELY have to. But so far so good.
So have you heard of the new craze in food? Chocolate Covered Bacon! That's right, and it's not what you might think! Blockhead Radio will be launching a new radio show on April 30th, call Chocolate Covered Bacon - The best in independent food finds from across the internet. The hose is our very own James from Birdy's Knits.
James has been working with food pretty much since he graduated from high school, and has amassed a great fondness for all things food! With is obsession with cheese, and spending hours of watching Food Network, he has thought about sharing his passion for a while. He feels very blessed that Blockhead Radio has given him the opportunity to share his passion with the world.
Chocolate Covered Bacon, will focus on finding some amazing food from independant producers and food artists from through out the internet. If you have a favorite food artisan that you would love to share with the world, please comment and let us know, we will work on lining them up on the show.
If you would please join James (ClosetCreature in the chat room) on Thursdays at 6 PM EST. You can join us in chat for any questions you may have for our guest, as well as just having a great time. In honor of our namesake we will be featuring Luca Chocolates who makes chocolate covered bacon truffles, on our April 30th show. James would like to thank Mamaslittlemonkeys of Mom's Cafe on Blockhead Radio for the encouragement with this great video:
James would also like to thank all the hosts of Blockhead Radio's shows for their encouragement, and for their help in getting this off the ground! We couldn't do it without you!
If you find it can you talk to it kindly and tell it to please go home?
I am feeling pretty blase about my current projects. Blah. I can't find my second needle for my ribbon scarf, and the other projects just feel boooooring. The knitting bunnies are still being difficult--pouty I think.
Right now I am knitting a dishcloth (my goal is 5 or 7--I am on the 4th), but I decided to shakes things up a little and knit it continental. I need the practise.
WHIBSIB (my yearly knitting retreat is this weekend) and I am hoping it's the recharge I need.
Happy Earth Day--if you feel so inclined to celebrate, might I suggest knitting up on of my Swiffer Cloths? I also just learned that you can knit two swiffer cloths and a grandmother's favourite dishcloth out of two skeins (2 oz) Sugar 'n Cream cotton.
Written under the influence of The Killers.
