Grab your knitting needles and come relax with me.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Because I Don't Have Enough To Do
Ha! I cleared my creative plate...I feel at peace with my various Knitting Bunnies...sorta. And yet I seek to throw all that up in the air for the thrilling ride of the Knitting Olympics. (It's when you make goals to knit certain somethings while the Olympics is going on. Knit an entire sweater, finish all your WIPS, knit 17 socks! Craziness like that.)
I am desperately trying NOT to allow myself to get caught up in the fervor, no matter how many blog posts I read about the subject!
I have made my own goals. I don't need the stinking Knitting Olympics to help me.
Besides it's not like they are giving out actual awards or actual praise and laurels.
Repeat: I, Birdwell Evans, WILL NOT join in any Knitting Olympic Games!!
This question has been rolling around my head this week. I feel that perhaps, once again, I have over committed myself. I have less than two months...less than one and a half months till Dec. 1. I have at least one super secret project that MUST be done by then. And on the needles I have actively committed: 6 projects--no back that up 8. (Dude, counting that out just made me cringe.) 5 Christmas presents due by the second week of November. That 1 super secret project due Dec 1. Another Super Secret Project that I want to get enough done to show off at Kid N Ewe. And then there's the new one: a lace design I am doing for my LYS new lace weight wool (I think it actually might be cobweb).
Dude.
I am freaking out...a little bit...a lot. If knitting was the ONLY thing on my plate, I wouldn't be hyper-ventilating. I also need to clean for the holiday/in-law visit. And keep up with homeschooling-now that kids are all healthy again, school is in session!!
Duuuuuuuude.
I definitely suffer from over confidence (but my friends, you know that about me already) and I kinda think all of this is doable. Yeah, I totally have a warped sense of time. I might have to spend the extra money and ship some of the Christmas presents instead of trying to kill myself.
So wanna see what I have been killing myself with???
Here's the newest Birdy's Knits design, I am kinda winging it. I have an out line of the pattern in my head, but I am filing in the gaps as I go. In a few inches, I'll enlarge the leafy pattern...
Or is it a flower?
I whipped it out at our October Potluck (dress up--so fun, I went as Victoria from Twilight) and I got a round of oohs and aahhs. That's hopeful. It's a dead easy pattern, easily memorised.
I am almost done with Elly Phant. One arm and two ears and I am done.
The second arm though is giving me fits. I tried three times and tore it out there times. So I put it aside and worked on something else. Sometimes in knitting you need a breather...taking a step back before you do something you regret. lol.
It's also giving my finger tips a break. Rapid k2tog on a tight gauge is rough on my fingers.
Did I mention I also plan to partipate in NaNoWriMo in November? Yeah, I am certifiable.
This is SO gonna hurt. I decided after a good week of agony to frog more than three inches of lace work. I asked some friends their thoughts on the matter, "Did this bit look okay?" I was beginning to be very displeased with how the lace pattern was coming out. Everyone told me it looked good. But still niggling in the back of my mind..."no no no no it looks like crap!"
I hate frogging. It usually takes me so long to knit--it's just going backwards right? But the wise Yarn Harlot says, but hey YOU GET TO KNIT AGAIN-YOU GET TO KNIT MORE!!! What's so awful about that?? (I had to shout this last bit to give me some confidence).
So here it goes...heavy sigh...somebody hold my hand?
RIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIP...
soft sobs
Damn this is taking forever...ouch...hold tighter, please.
Whew. Done.
Wow. I feel much better, much lighter...even though I pretty much have to start all over again... It will be a better design. And the yarn is a delight to work with (it's Buffalo Gold Lux).
Sorry but I couldn't tell you WHAT I am frogging. It's super secret...but soon I promise to spill ALL the beans.
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...
I was browsing my knitting blogs yesterday and I came across the cutest skirt from The Blue Blog. Alison is ALWAYS making the cutest things for her little daughter.
I was intrigued, so I go to Ravelry to check it out.
Ravelry screenshot
And WOW, the cuteness!!! Even though it's MILES of stockinette, I have to make this skirt for Lorelei. And she agreed.
We skipped out and Lorelei picked out the colours at our local Hobby Lobby.
Lori especially picked out the brown: she WANTED brown for the top of the skirt. And the rest of the colours felt into place. (The order from top to bottom is the order the colours will be in the skirt).
I immediately cast on. (Now the pattern is NOT in the barefoot knits book, and the magazine it was originally published in is now defunct, so Christine published it in this Ravelry forum.
I am taking copious notes on my printed out pattern and here on my Ravelry Project Page, because I am heavily modifying the construction--mostly based on the outcomes of the other knitters on Rav that have knit this before me.
I altered my numbers because the Hobby Lobby cotton is a leetle heavier than the recommended yarn, I am knitting it in the round (because DUDE if I can I get out of seaming and YES I am magic looping it), and I am doing a folded over picot hem. I may or may not make an i-cord tie, I am thinking elastic, but Jamey thinks the ties will make the skirt last longer as Lori grows. We shall see. I am also feeling the need to embroider.
Jamey is also doubtful on a my time line: he is thinking it'll take me 5 months or more to finish. Hmmm, I am hoping a month or two, but then I have ALWAYS been overconfident in my project time lines. With Lorelei's nagging, I am thinking it'll help speed things along.
The past few days I have been knackered--utterly and completely. I have two knitting bunnies gnawing on my shoulder (the tired brains aren't very tasty apparently). But I am just too tired to care. I am blaming allergies. But I have been knitting.
I dragged my arse off the couch (or whatever reclined position seemed fit) and took some pictures. I've been knitting on fairly easy stuff, nothing I need brain cells for.
I am guesstimating I have about a foot left to knit. My plan is to knit till I run out of yarn. The skein is looking pretty empty.
Lastly, I have been knitting intermittently on my Crayzee Scarf (inspired by the lovely Amy Singer). Somehow it's very soothing.
Two pics because I am indeed certifiable and decided to go all the way crayzee. I have a long way yet to finish--but finishing isn't the goal. Knitting is the goal.
See, this is rest. Hee hee. I do love this yarn: it's Claudia's Handpainted...and I love the subtle colour change. The yarn did scream for a scale pattern didn't it.
I haven't worked on the Bettie Lace stockings at all since I last posted about them...too tired. I am hoping to shake these exhaustion soon (before I lose my shoulders).
In my surfing this weekend, I saw these wonderful stockings (THIGH HIGH) and thought: I must blog about them. And then I PROMPTLY forgot! Until, I read this blog post this morning, which reminded me about my own Socks That Neverend. (And I really love her "heading thingy": knitters=angry mob. So very very true). And then of course reminded me about my blog find a few days prior.
Total aside (with a elevator version of "This Is The Song That Never Ends" playing in the background): I really am on fine form today. I am seriously resisting the urge to insert various dashes and parenthesis--I have SO much to say about what I am saying, I am beginning to think I need foot notes. BUT WHY? It's just random thoughts, not even important or relevant thoughts. Don't mind me: I think the caffeine has hit the blood stream. ;-)
Okay, stockings...these Mothering Day stockings ARE so up my alley. I want to knit them SO bad, BUT, dude, it would take me TWO YEARS to knit these things. As you may recall, it took me a year to knit my Neverending Socks...and those were merely knee highs, NOT thigh high. And then there's the having to resize them to fit my skinny chicken stick legs. But...even then...I want to make these stockings. The are SO me.
AND THEN this weekend, when I bought the new Interweave Spring: I saw the Bettie Lace Stockings (rav link). Dude, I gotta make these too!!
What is a girl to do? This is not the first time I wished for 2 or 3 extra pairs of arms.
Well, my Super Secret Project is finished!! Well see in the Spring what becomes of it...
It went much faster toward the end than I thought it would be--I didn't have to do any all nighters...woot! As soon as I was done: I promptly started knitting on the Snow Flurry Blanket and the Crayzee Scarf. After a month of knitting monogamy, I am looking forward to being a Knitting Slut. Grin. I had so much knitting planned this month--when I was actually free to knit something different.
I have been day dreaming of designs for that luscious skein of bison fiber I bought at Kid 'n Ewe. Then some arm warmers from the rose yarn I bought just last week...and a shield themed scarf/stole with the Handmaiden. I also been toying with the idea of making Micci a shoulder bag for his Bakugan.
After my latest trip to the yarn shops I decided I need to lay off the yarn buying. It's not really the wallet--it's the fact that I have a sizable stash and it's waiting for me to turn it into something glorious. I have hanks of silk, laceweight, and sock yarn that is crying out to me: make me into something?! Make me BEAUTIFUL! I have to resist the siren call of laceweight and silk...and stop buying more pretties until I knit up my current pretties.
Ask my mother, sometimes my grasp on reality is tenuous. Honestly, I thought I had blogged recently, I thought I showed all y'all pictures of my new yarn organisation, and my loverly yarn I got from kid n ewe. It turns out, I had merely thought about doing it and then promptly forgot just because I wish it to happen doesn't mean it does. (Okay sometimes that works, but apparently not with blog posts--grin.)
One of my favourite quotes always has been a gem from Albert Einstein Phisto: Reality is optional. Edit: I am confused. Albert actually said: "Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one."
Okay, now that I have got your attention: you will get the blog post I thought I wrote. Just give me a moment to compose it and add pictures; yes lot's pf lovely yarn pr0n is on its way.
I've made some good progress on my crayzee scarf--which let's you in on my mood lately. Sigh. Oh well, life is brightening and I am perking up. I am really LOVING this yarn, Claudia Hand Painted Lace in Silk...it's so yummy.
The pattern on the reverse side (front? maybe--it'll depend on my mood when I start wearing it--some day) has been giving me trouble...mainly me forgeting to SSK or KTOG when I am supposed and me trying to ladder back.
On vacation when I went to On the Lamb (I just love that shop and it's owner--Joe is awesome), he pointed out that Claudia's Hand Painted yarns is just up the road 30 minutes away. I am sure the entire knitting world heard my jaw thunk to the ground, "Really?!?!" Sadly, we were leaving the very next day so there was no time for me to take a field trip. Next year? I am so going to Harrisonburg and try not to drool all over the yarn. And hopefully I'll have something to show them as well (yes another Knitting Bunny).
Speaking of On the Lamb, I nearly fainted when I saw the pile of malabrigo lace weight AND on SALE!! Woot! Forgetting (once again) that I am a knitting blogger, I neglected to take a picture of the lusciousness. But I did manage to rescue to skeins and brought them home with me.
I just want to eat them all up.
Yes, I have a small weakness for Malabrigo lace.
Once I finished, my Super Secret Project (to be unveiled soon), I was free to start this beauty. (Yes i also have a small weakness for scarves).
It's Lace Ribbon Scarf (Rav link) by Veronik Avery. This is such a simple fun scarf. I barely need the pattern any more. Great semi-mindless knitting.
Not so mindless, the Swallowtail Shawl (Rav link). Now I understand the nubs do suck--I have had tink back trying to fix a nub gone wrong. I have cursed when a nub tried to go wrong. Bad BAD nub!! I am half way through the second set of nub horror and hopefully can finish soon.
I am considering adding beads to the edging--I just need to find them. I have a sneaky suspicion Jamey borrowed them for his stitch holders. I am looking forward to having this off my needles.
Although I am not sure if I am going to start the Bee Fields Shawl (rav link) or if I want to start a shawl of my own design. I guess it depends on my level of laziness. Grin.
Before I leave for today, I wanted to show you a work of art from Jamey's Grand Mother. I love it (although I may replace the buttons).
I've not been feeling the knitting lately--basically going through the motions. I am rushing to finish up my Super Secret Projects. I also have a few days till we leave for vacation. We'll be in Virginia for two weeks--posting here will definitely be spotty, at best.
Like I said, I am feeling stretched. I think it's a collusion of things. Family fun stuff (not the one I made, but the one I was put into) mainly--with other stresses sprinkled in. So I found something to put myself in a better mood. While it DID put me in a grand (grand) mood, I was tethered to the couch for a bit.
I chronicled my tethering (smirk) on The other Blog. Really I don't want to have to re-write the post here as well--so go!!
I've been feeling pretty blah and tired these past few days. But I did manage to knit a bit. Not much though, however I do have lot's of pictures: go figure!
I got myself another knitting bag. Like my husband said, I don't need another one, but I saw it and it was pretty. I didn't think I'd be able to find another one like it again. Grin.
I got lot's more done on the scarf...well...a few rows at least. I also have enough know to show y'all the scale pattern I am knitting on the flip side.
I really love the color and the pattern. This scarf really is teaching me the loveliness of stockinette. I am now looking forward to the straight knit bits rather than the pattern.
And it's so utterly soft.
Anne dropped off her Dem Fischer again...she needs my lace surgery skills once again.
From how she went on I thought it was a huge mistake. But it's very small. An easy fix.
I could repair it now in five minutes, but I want to try doing another lace surgery video so tomorrow I am going to work on both.
I've been feeling pretty sucky for a few days. I haven't been sleeping right...going to bed very late and waking up very late. It had me very drained. Even so, going to bed at a "decent" hour was incredibly hard. I tossed and turned for over an hour and a half. But managed to drag my arse out of bed before 9 am.
Look at all the sock progress! Courtesy of my sister Kim. Every so often she'll tag along to a knitting group or beg me for some knitting during a Silver Stars game. She's a knitter, but not a Knitter--ya know obsessed. She's made quite a bit of progress. But.
Yes there is a "but" because this is Birdy's blog--and Birdy is short for Birdwell and Birdwell is anal--especially about things she makes.
Can YOU tell what is driving me mad?
Yes, gauge. As I told you last post. I am a tight sock knitter and well Kim is not. It's not that big of a difference. But it is bothering me. And I want to tear out that inch that Kim knit. (She incidentally knit that inch quite quickly--which is totally unfair).
Yeah, I have been incommunicado this week. I took a lot of knitting pictures, but kept them hostage in the camera. I wanted to just take one_more_picture. So I have several different subjects today.
Last Monday (gee the last time I blogged), I helped Anne cast on her toe up socks. Judy's Magic Cast On can be finicky for average fingers, but when one has RA--it can be nearly impossible. I knit the toe, increases and all and handed it off to her once the straight knitting started. I am a tight sock knitter and so the toes were very much cast iron toes. She couldn't poke her needle through my toes, but she could once she had knitted enough. Grin.
I just love the color.
I also started my crayzee scarf inspired by Amy Singer from Knitty. She's started hers back in the beginning of the year and I am sure you remember me ranting about how crazy she was and how if I ever even expressed interest in doing it too--to make sure my husband carted me off to the looney bin. Well...I went off the deep end and started one of my own. (Although I didn't stash dive, but had to BUY some new lace weight)
It's so beautiful. I found the yarn, Claudia's Hand Painted Silk Lace) at Hill Country Weavers. And it inspired me to move past pure stockinette and do a solid pattern on one side. The dark teal just screams scales, so I modified a dragon scale pattern for the other side of the scarf. So one side stockinette, with two faux seams (p1, k1, p1) and the dragon scale. It's maddening.
I love it. Yep that's a penny. And I am about an inch into it now. I hope to show you the other patterned side once I get some more repeats of the dragon scale.
Yes, this is meant to be a long term project.
Speaking of which--I started knitting on the Swallowtail shawl again.
I have finished the main bud pattern and am working my way through the first lily of the valley edge border. I must say I am loving the nupps.
Yes, it does look a bit like cat sick, but once it's finished and blocked--it'll be exquisite. And I am not sure who the recipient is going to be...
I am still working on several projects I am not at liberty to discuss---which probably explains my bloggy silence. I kept some knitting updates under my belt so I can blog again tomorrow with something fresh...grin.
When Jamey and I came up with these stitch markers we only thought about knitting and perhaps earrings (where do YOU store your stitch markers when you aren't using them in your knitting?) Because I don't crochet (I can handle 2, 4,5 needles, but one hook it's beyond me), I didn't even think how useful these are for crocheters. Most of our stitch markers can also be used for for either crochet or knitting.
THEN, I got my Knit Picks order in the mail. It was sent on Tuesday and came today--woot! I guess I can't read because I didn't realise that the Knit Picks interchangeable cables come in sets of two. I bought 4 set of cables (8 cables) and 3 needle tips. That's like 72 needles for like 30 bucks!! (Right?) I also got my size 0 16 inch circular needle--I get to start my crayzee scarf. Woot woot!
Lastly, Anne came over to knit. Her husband is between jobs and he's driving her nuts. I didn't get to start my crayzee scarf, but I did help her start some toe up socks. (I am a very nice friend.)
After a very late dinner--I am finally starting my trip to the funny farm. I have decided though to do one side in dragon scales because between the color and the sheen of the yarn it just screams scales. So: is a patterned scarf on size 0 needles on lace weight crazier than a pure stockinette one?? Smirk.
Oh and I highly recommend to all those on a yarn diet, but seriously loving the new Knit Picks yarns--buy your self a color card. It gives you a taste and a way to fondle the yarn. I, myself, spent a few minutes stroking the swatches on my Shimmer color card.
Seriously this week flew by and although I actually had knitting content--I just couldn't seem to blog about any of it. And although I am suffering from a sinus infection right now (and am pondering just how much snot the human head can hold before it explodes), I must keep my lovely readers updated.
Hmmm, knitting progress or new toys--hmmmm. Eeny Meeny Moe...which one?
KNITTING!
Anne suggested I purl the black to add interest (esp for me since I tend to shy away from pure stockinette). So I tried it.
Eh.
It looks better in the photograph than it did in person. It seemed that the purl made the black too dominant--it threw things off for me. So I ripped it back to the marker (which if you like you can get at the shop) and have since knitted it past the point where I frogged it. I have learned doing socks that sometimes boring stockinette can be relaxing and necessary.
I have been working on my skinny scarves intermittently. I am about half way done--3 feet along. They are getting to the point where doing two at a time is becoming cumbersome. I had hoped buying two wee bags to keep the yarn in would help. I might try tucking the scarf ends in the bags as well--see if that will help.
Now the toys.
I have been looking for a bound graph paper note book (with little teeny squares 10 to an inch). I finally gave up and bought a tablet and a portfolio case to hold it in.
I like the polka dots. It's bigger than I had in mind, but it'll work. And it's already in use and have proven very handy.
I also got something I had my eye on for a while now.
And it's red.
I also ordered (much to the dismay of Jamey--but I had to celebrate a large BK order!!) some needles from Knit Picks. One set is for Super Secret Project 3 and of course a set of 16 inch size 0 circulars for my crazee scarf. I even dreamed about getting them last night, I am THAT excited. I was a tad disappointed they didn't come today. LOL. They only shipped on Tuesday. I ordered enough needles for some upcoming projects. Woot.
Okay so--I bought some yarn for a crayzee scarf when I was in Austin. Didn't bother buying a size 0, 16 inch circular needle because I had one at home. I was so excited, that when JoAn broke out the winder and swift at the Knit 'n Eat--I asked her to wind up the silk for me too. And as soon as I got home I cast on! Woot! Crayzee Scarf here I come!!
I cast on twenty or thirty stitches and ran into a "snag." Huh, the stitches wouldn't fit over the JOIN!
For some reason the makers of these Boye needles thought that having a size 0 needle with size 2 joins would make a useable knitting device. Argh.
What morons! After cursing... I cast on using some dpns while I order myself some circs from Knit Picks. Then the next day I realised I twisted the cast on. Doh!! So I am waiting to restart until I get my new circ. Lovely just lovely.
Now that am having time to think and now that I have knitted the scarf a bit--I thought after I start again--maybe I should knit one side in stockinette and the other side in a modified dragon scale pattern. How pretty that would be (the silk is a tonally variegated dark teal)! But--is that crazy enough--this makes a nice mindless project--but really DO I do mindless very well? I still need to order the knit picks so I will have time to mull this over...
Well we made it to and from Austin in one piece, much knitting hilarity ensured and I didn't buy that much yarn AND I made some contacts for our stitch markers. We also rescued a kitten.
And we got to see the famous SABLE (Stash Above and Beyond Life Expectancy) of JoAn, our hostess.
We got a late start on our road trip to Austin and got lost trying to find Hill Country Weavers. Apparently Yahoo Maps doesn't know there is a difference between 1701 S. Congress and 1701 Congress. We're talking abut MILES here. Anyhoo I lost my marbles and bought something so I could make a Crayzee Scarf. Yep lace, stockinette, and size 0 circs...oh yeah! I am so excited!
Once at the Knit and Eat--great fun and hilarities ensued and Leah rescued a poor starving stray kitten from our hostesses' back yard. As you can see it's a mouser--with thought huge ears! It's the sweetest thing ever.
After the luncheon we stopped by The Knitting Nest and saw the evidence (make sure you look at my entire slide show above) Franklin left when he came for the 1000 Knitters event (I wish I could have gone!!). I also bought some Malabrigo lace--because the factory burned down dude!! That and the owner bought some of our stitch markers so I felt that I had to reciprocate.
We all had such a nice time and we came to the conclusion we need to go to Austin more often ;-) I ain't gonna say no.
Question my dear readers, I am presuming all y'all knit (if you don't wow thanks for reading and ignore this question). It's summer and here in San Antonio we have unofficially hit a hundred degrees already and it's been in the nineties for a while now. Are you still knitting.
I was at my Stitch and Bitch yesterday and every one (okay two folks but it was half the group--me and Phisto being the other half) weren't knitting and said lately they didn't feel like knitting because it was SO HOT!!
Huh?
Not_knitting_because_it_was_hot. I am not shocked at not knitting in the heat--I understand the idea, but well not the practise. I told them, "Really? I can't NOT knit. I knit all the time, in fact the last thoughts of mine before falling asleep IS knitting. If I am not knitting I am thinking about knitting (so much so that I have to GO back to knitting--esp. when it keeps me up and night)."
So folks--how many are still knitting and how many are as obsessed as I am and knows that someone will have to pry my knitting needles from my cold dead hands.
Completely unrelated to the question BUT related to the fact that we went to SnB: after the SnB ended (it was short)--we went to the ice cream shop (homemade gelato--YUM) and who should I see on the couch? A knitter and I recognised her from Ravelry (I run the San Antonio group and and try to welcome everyone personally and have been known to hunt the San Antonians down making sure they know about the group-got over a 140 knitters woot!). I exclaimed, "I know you! You're on Ravlery and I am Birdy!" (See famouz in my own head!) So Phisto and I had another (impromptu) knit meet up, for about an hour. It was a great way to end the evening. (Well for me...P. met someone one the way out and her own brand of fun ;-) )
Sometimes being a knitting designer is just plain wearying. Especially when I am constantly doubting my ability to count.
Someone just bought my Tulip Blanket (Thank You!!) and because I just read an post on Ravelry about how some folks just plain HATE, DETEST, and HAVE NO RESPECT FOR those patterns that have errors in them--especially when they pay for the pattern.
Way to play into my latent (okay sometimes not so latent) insecurities!
So now I am convinced the Tulip Blanket is full of errors and makes no sense. However, at the state I am in now if I try to "fix it" I may just create an error where none exists.
I have been a huge U2 fan for years. For a time, I was quite, quite enthused and spent a great deal of time doing U2 related things. I have laid off of the enthused bit, a lot, although it does peek out from time to time. (Most noticeably when Bono or really any band member is on TV or in any sort of media--I tend to let out a barely audible "squee" and grin like a maniac).
Last night Jamey took me to see U2 3D at our local IMAX. Folks, it was fantastic and truly surreal. I desperately missed my mates (Phisto and Quimby share my U2 enthusiasm), knowing they would have got the joke in some odd gesture or expression -- Adam's expression when Bono groped his leg was PRICELESS! Despite the enormity of it all and having Bono "nearly touch my face" (it IS 3D after all). I thought knitting: whenever I saw The Edge, I thought how handsome he would look in a nice handknit hat. Maybe something like the Koohaas {Ravelry}...
So what do I obsess over last night?
The logistics of getting the beautifully knit, with a soft, fantastic yarn, hat to The Edge. Including the packaging (none except for a small note pined to the hat), who to hand it off to...this all assuming I could actually get to a concert and find someone "important," and making sure to include contact info. Because after all The Edge would want to know who to thank and to tell me that Bono wants some handknit socks for his tiny little feet.
My heart socks weren't that bad off--I just mistakenly worked a patterned row on a non patterned row on ONE side of the heart.
Aside: Sometimes I think I have a knitting elf. I swear I have had mistakes before I go to bed and when I wake up poof there is NO mistake. Wooooooooooooo...
And the mistake on the Celtic Tote? The judge has ruled it a design element. Upon the light of day I was going to ladder down AND take pictures. Thankfully reason intervened and told me in no uncertain terms:
Birdwell, YOU are nuts! It's 7 rows down a complicated cable. But that isn't THAT big a deal really, because you are knitting the BACK piece of the tote and NO ONE will EVER see that tiny mis-crossed cable. So breath. Put those stitches back onto the needle and just calm down.
So all it well in my knitting world and no knitted thing has suffered as a result.
This was going to be a tutorial before I came to my senses.
Ms Amy from Knitty is out of her mind. Literally--I got proof--just LOOK at her blog. You can see it plain as day. She's nuts. Too much Knitty work and she has left her senses (her Canadian cents!).
Sadly--I can see this coming for me. (Lorelei will someday totally separate me from my senses) And I see the allure. Sometimes, when I walk by the needle section in my Hobby Lobby and see the size 0 16 inch circs, I pause....and wonder. Then I STOP myself.
But when I start talking about seriously doing this call my husband and let him know that it's NOW time to take away my needles and take me away to a nice quiet soft place.
