Are You Lonesome Tonight?

I'm a terrible blogger.

Or, perhaps I should say I'm not a very faithful blogger.

There's plenty going on in the McD house that might qualify as blog fodder, but I've either not had access to a computer (thanks, Things), or I've been too exhausted to put together two thoughts to prepare a blog entry. But, once again, I'm going to attempt to be a more faithful and creative thinker.

Maybe.

At any rate, tonight was the big Trick-or-Treat pilgrimage. Personally, Trick-or-Treating falls into the realm of parental responsibilities and less into the fun catagory. I feel more a member of the Donner Party and have less Halloween spirit than the rest of the McD house. It's the costuming. The Things don't allow me much in the way of creativity anymore. I think next year, I am going to insist on something more interesting than the latest movie character.

Now, I'm off to work on some of the ferocious knitting I have to complete before December 25. I always promise myself that I'll start the gift knitting early, but as Mary Poppins says, it's a pie crust promise.

And, I have somewhere in the neighborhood of 250 pictures to download from the camera.

I suppose it's a good thing I get an extra hour tonight. I'm going to need it.

Because....well, Just Because...

Sometimes, it's the little, bizarre things in life that make you smile.

While putzing around on the web a couple of days ago, I ran across some photos that defy even my pontifical efforts.

What you have just seen is an example of guerrilla knitting. A short and sweet definition would be creating knitted art by public means. Love it or hate it, this artwork definitely grabs your attention. The group responsible for the above artwork is known as Knit the City and hails from London, England.

Somehow, I think Dr. Who would be right at home.

Knit the Planet!

All approprite permissions for the above photos have been granted by the lovely ladies of Knit the City.

To Market, To Market

New items listed in the Etsy Shop. Here's a small preview.

Good Knitting Gone Bad

Remember this?

It was a lovely little sweater. It was lovingly hand dyed, and Thing 2 was so involved in the process. He chose the colors and helped with the dyeing. He decided the order of the stripes and chose his own buttons. He was incredibly patient when I would yell in the middle of cartoons, "Hey MUC, come try this on for me!"

A couple of weekends ago, Necropolis decided to do so laundry. Yeah....I think you know what's coming:

You'll have to excuse the Joker looking expression on MUC. I made him stand in the last of the afternoon direct sunlight. At any rate, with regard to the sweater, I think it might fit my 2 year old niece about now. We're still deciding what to do. We may have another Tomten in the making (it was really a quick knit), or MUC may choose a different pattern. Oh well, easy come, easy go.

On other fronts, the holiday knitting frenzy has commenced. Here are some of the various pieces. I'm not going to tell too much, should one of the recipients happen to read this post. After the holidays, I'll be sure to be more detailed about the projects.

And, no, I still don't know what's up with the photos, but I think I have a solution figured out. I'm just too tired and lazy to change the ginormus pics at the moment.

Because I'm a sucker.... (and a dork)

There's a gal out in cyberland who has created a knit-a-long where by you have to solve clues to get the URL for the various pdfs for the pattern and charts. It's called the da Vinci Knit A Long, and I had planned to check it out when I hear about it a few weeks ago. Unfortunately, I forgot that the closing date of the clues is TOMORROW, and I've spent the better part of my day hunting down various bits and pieces of extraneous information to see if I could get to the pattern and charts. Luckily, and with quite a bit of reading other people's hints and suggestions on Ravelry, I managed to get all the information printed out.


Now I just have to knit the stinkin' thing.

A-Maze-ing Challenge

As one who can never turn away a challenge, I find myself embroiled in yet another one. A few posts ago, I mentioned being a member of Knitting 20th Century Novels on Ravelry, and this ‘round’ we’re reading Umberto Eco’s Name of the Rose. Also part of this group is to knit an accompanying work, if so desired.

Already, very early in the reading (by the first chapter), a labyrinth is featuring prominently in the reading. There’s constant reference to the idea of the monastery library being a labyrinth (more a maze really, but the theory is the same in this case). Discussion on the project board centered at first on some brave soul who wondered aloud on how to incorporate semiotics into her knitting. Semiotic is, in really, really, really shorthand terms the study of signs and symbols, a huge sub-plot of the book and is, in fact, Eco’s area of expertise in the collegiate world.

From this first brave (in my opinion) board post, discussion gradually moved to the idea of creating an afghan or blanket based on a labyrinth, and me being me, I had to add my two cents about Latin text and hidden meanings. Now, the project is blooming into a life of its own.

Further discussion and research had one member discover Eco actually based the library labyrinth from the maze on the floor of Rheims Cathedral in France (1211 destroyed 1779).

Conveniently, it has places to place some secret symbols, and my imagination is going full throttle.
At this point, everything is still in my head, but I do have plans to put it in ‘fit for public consumption form’. I hope. I’ve already resigned myself that this is not a project that will be completed upon the specified time limit of the book group. However, I’m not deterred. I thought there might be some here who were interested in watching this unfold.

A Novel Without A Hero

Once Upon A Time there was a blog entitled Knitting the Classics. It's now defunct, but it's purpose (at the time) was to read some great books and knit inspiring piece of works based on said book. Unfortunately for me, I discovered this little gem too late.

Being the voracious reader I am, I have no lack of books in my dining room/studio that have been sacrificed at the altar of my literary muse this summer. Perhaps my greatest accomplishment was in reading the Diana Gabaldon Outlander series. Yes, I read all 6 book, incompassing some 6800 pages, in less than two weeks. And, I broke up the monotony of Claire and Jamie's story with Stephanie Meyer's Twilight series. I was a busy girl.

The trouble, if you want to call it that, is that I read for myself, but generally have no avenue of discourse regarding these books. I read, digest and internalize these books. Most often, this isn't an issue. My ideas would probably set people's backs up and frighten small children. But, every so often, I have the desire to read, discuss and exchange.

A book club doesn't really appeal, and isn't all that conducive to my life, given The Things. If I want to have a discussion about The Spiderwick Chronicles, I suppose I'm set. But, if I want to talk Pride and Prejudice, I'm a little short on method and opportunity, despite the motive.

Enter Knit the Classics. It would have been the perfect balance and compromise. If it still existed. Luckily for me, there's a fair compromise. On Ravelry, there are two groups, Knitting 19th Century Novels and Knitting 20th Century Novels which hold basically the same function as KTC: Read a major work every two month (and discuss in the forums) and knit a project inspired by the novel.

I've picked up my first two novels, Vanity Fair by Willam Makepeace Thackery, and The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco. I'm reading along and already have the beginnings of knitting inspiration for Name of the Rose, as you can see by the photo below. I'm thinking ideas along rose windows. Not sure how, exactly I'm going to pull this off yet, though.


So, now I can discuss and talk, as time allows, and not worry that my ideas are strange or weird or whatever. I have the time to really think about what I say before I type my ideas out, and I can pose these theories in the best light. Right?

Well, you would think so, but apparently, I'm just that much of a freak. When I brought forth a point in Vanity Fair, where one of the characters is labeled a misanthrope (a word that's popped up repeatedly for me this summer), I somewhat challenged it. I asked what others thought. And only one person replied with a sort of wishy-washy response.

Maybe I'll just go back to lurking and keep my mouth shut.

It's 90 Degrees and I'm Knitting With Wool!

Yes, I'm still a knitting fiend.

I've been knitting around the house and everywhere else I go. Not to mention, as I unpack boxes and run across various works-in-progress, I've been doing my best to wrap them up. Of course, that doesn't stop me from starting something new.

Out with the old:

I finished the stole for DT. I'm pleased with it, and she loved it. It's in her classroom right now. She wears it around the school when the A/C is cranking at meat locker levels.

I ran across the Blue Jean Lace Leaf Shawl I was planning to give to the Mother-In-Law for last Christmas. Obviously, I didn't finish, and I didn't give it to her. However, I may do that this year, since it's now complete. It's made of Handmaiden's Sea Silk yarn, so it's really, really yummy.

I did finish the Alpaca Sox that I was working on. Now I can't find them. When I do, I'll take the requisite photo.

The new:

I've been watching an obscene amount of Firefly and Serenity lately. I think it appeals to the absurd in me. At any rate, I was inspired by one of the characters, River Tam, to design a pair of socks. I'm still in the knitting/figuring it out stage, but so far, so good. The red thread is to denote where I plan to put an afterthought heel. I didn't want to have to worry with carrying a pattern and working a short row heel at the same time.

Here's the beginnings of "Hey, Teach!" from Knitty.com. I've just started, but I had some CashSoft in the stash, so my sweater isn't going to be the right weight. But, the yarn is so soft, and so light, I think it will be a good sweater for the area.

So, that's the current in progress. Of course, there's the "projects that may spontaneously begin at any moment", and I have been fondling yarn all weekend. Not to mention, there are a couple of special upcoming projects in the works.

It's amazing I ever get anything completed.

But Are You Knitting?

I could answer with some quippy cliche' about the Pope or bears in the woods, but the short answer is yes. At any given time, there are about a half a dozen projects 'on the needles' in and around my house. Most of them, right now, are in a box somewhere. That being the case, I'm a little low on gratuitous fiber shots, but I am getting a lot done on the projects I am working on.

Project 1 is a lace stole for DT, a teacher friend who is tutoring MUC in reading over the summer. This stole isn't anything fancy in the way of technique or design. I chose the pattern out of Treasury of Knitting Patterns, VL. 1 because it was mind-numbingly easy, making this a great travel project. The yarn is Knit Picks Bare, and I dyed it with some not-quite exhausted blue, but I did this sort of paint on thing. The yarn came out with this distressed denim type effect, which actually works, since the yarn is already starting to get a bit fuzzy from the stitch work. By the time I get this thing all sized and pinned out, it should be a really relazed, but comfy casual stole, which fits DT perfectly. The big news from this project is the Addi Turbo Lace circulars. Boy do they make all the difference in the world. I really recommend these needles if you're working with laceweight yarns or complicated stitchwork. The sharper points work so much easily than traditional Addis.

Project 2 is a rescue of some Alpaca Sox yarn sock I started some time ago and forgot. I ran across them in The Great Unpacking and decided to frog some unsightly patterning that just wasn't working and go for plain 'ol socks. They're not the fanciest in the world, but they are some kind of warm and fuzzy. They're going to make great Birk socks.

And, there's no picture, but I always have some kind of cotton project going, like market bags or dishcloths, which I generally work while at the pool with the kids. Yes, I even knit at the pool. And the movies. And while waiting for the doctor in the exam room. What can I say?

Small Post Script: Spoke to Dr. Lucy at length today. She is doing well, other than the 2 shots she must give herself each day. Fortunately, those end soon. Thank you for your kind thoughts for my friend.

It's June in Georgia - A Great Time to Think Sweaters!

Now that the move is settling out a little, I have some time to actually look at some of my in progress projects. One of the major ones is the sweater for Necropolis I agreed to make after his post Christmas pronouncement of "You never knit anything for me."

Well, this is true. I never really considered it as 1) Nec's tastes in clothing are almost as particular as mine and B) I figured it was a waste of good yarn to make the effort. However, with his whiny-butt statement, I set off on the unenviable task of trying to find something I thought I would find remotely interesting to knit, and he would agree to wear. Eventually, I stumbled on one of Brooklyn Tweed's submissions to Interweave Knits in the Fall '07 issue. It's called Cobblestone, and it just a basic sweater. Now, Nec's not generally a sweater type of guy. And, I was very upfront with him (ad nauseum) that if I took the time to do this, I would be expecting more than the occasional wear. He agreed, and I set off to find the right yarn.

This proved to be a challenge of epic proportions.

We live, basically, on the line that equatorially bisects the state, affectionately referred to by all Georgia History students as "The Fall Line". Last winter, I wore my wool coat a grand total of twice, and only because I wore a lighter weight dress than the temperature required. We haven't had anything resembling real snow or ice since MUC was an infant (he's now 7). And, even I don't wear pullover style sweaters unless it is COLD (re: not in a very long time). So, if I expect the sweater to see some wear time, the yarn would have to be a special blend. I was thinking something like a lighter weight wool, but with some of the same warm/cool properties of a silk blend as well. Try finding that in a commercial yarn. It was either near impossible or prohibitively expensive.

Which lead to my chatting it up on Ravelry on one of the boards. I ran across someone who actually does the washing/dying/carding/combing/blending, and better yet, she was a dream to work with. I gave her my less than specific, obtusely general ideas, and she turned it into a roving that was just wonderful. I spun it into a yarn, and checked to see if the gauge was at least in the ballpark, and we were cooking with gas! (By the way, I really can't say enough wonderful things about Julie and her fiber, so if you're looking for something of that nature, I really suggest you check out her Etsy Store ).

I've spun a specific amount of the fiber, to check my yards/oz, and then we'll determine the exact amount I'll need for the entire project. This is something I'm really looking forward to seeing to the end result.

Crazy Train

Hey y’all.

I know it’s been forever since I posted, but I promise, I am still here! My family decided that, along with the general craziness that is my life, it would be a good time to buy a house! We’re packing like mad, since we started the process some time during Spring Break (about April 6), and are aiming for a closing date of May 1. So, yeppers, we’re trying to buy a house in 3 weeks.

Insane, I tell ya!

AND, just to make my life just a little more wacky, I thought it would be a good time to open an (very new, and not very full) Etsy shop. (Think eBay for the self-enterprising smaller-scale artist) You can check it out here, but I promise this is not a shameless plug. What I’d really like is your kind thoughts and support. Those mean more to me. However, if you ever do see something you like, let me know! If you don’t see something, but have a request, let me know that too!

But, most of all, just keep me and the business in your prayers. This is part of my evil plan to hopefully begin to make the move from the daily grind to a more artistic one.

Lucy Manette Was a Fool, and I Need Instant Gratification

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way --

Despite my best efforts, I've spent much of the last couple of weeks feeling like a character in a Dickensian novel. I can't blame anyone. I know I have much for which to be thankful, just as I am aware life could be much, much worse for me and is for many.
After all, I could live in Iraq, Darfur, Kenya, Afghanistan, Indonesia, Pakistan, and a long laundry list of places where the human condition doesn't even afford basic necessities of survival, much less a semblance of human or civil rights. Does that make me feel more like Madame Defarge than Lucy Manette? Well, yeah, but it still doesn't make me feel better about my personal situation.

I've been doing my best Madame Defarge impersonations lately. Snarly, snappy and somewhat upkept -- yes, that would be me. Poor Necropolis is usually the recipient of my ill temper. The things I say make so much sense in my head, but when the words come out of my mouth, and I hear them, I can't believe what I'm saying. I don't know if it's venting, or if my 'consider others' feelings' filter has been broken, but I've been more than a little acerbic and blunt. And, no Madame Defarge impersonation would be complete without needles. Never forget the needles.

Here's where the instant gratification kicks in. I can't hold my concentration for shit these days. Dr. Manette's got nothing on me for absent mindedness or the just plain crazies. Everything literally floats in and out, and I needed a project I knew I could see the end even before beginning, much less see through. I made dishcloths.

All three were knitted with 100% cotton. I couldn't tell you the colorways to save my life. This stuff has been in the stash so long, I have no idea where the ball bands are. The blue is done in the blockweave I used for the kid's Principal's Scarf. It's incomplete in the photo, but is long since completed by now. The green and blue variegated is a simple K2 P2 rib. The purple and white is very similar to that found in the Mason-Dixon knitting book. I would venture a guess it's probably almost exactly the same pattern, but I can't say that with 100% certainty. I found an example somewhere and counted up the rows/stitches, and did the math really quickly.

So, stay tuned for my next installment, where I redeem myself with my selfless good works.

It is a far, far better thing I do than I have ever done, it is a far, far
better rest I go to than I have ever known.

All quotes and characters in this posts are taken from A Tale of Two Cities, my personal favorite of the Charles Dickens' novels. Personal redemption, the power to reclaim self worth, is a powerful thing. Not to mention, more than once I have had to wonder at the intelligence of a woman who has a man profess to her, "You have been the last dream of my soul [....] You kindled me, heap of ashes that I am, into fire," only to choose the other guy. What's wrong with that chick?

It's a Gift

I know it's been a while. I have several items I can share now that the holidays are over. Most of these were gifted to family members, so I had to wait until after the holidays.

This is a shawl I made for The Mother. It was from Victorian Lace Today and is called Ruby Scarf. I used 1 skein (about 440 yrds) of Handmaiden's Sea Silk in Mermaid and used all but about 5 yards of the stuff. It was a really lovely and drapey shawl look. The final blocked measurements were 13.5" x 75". It was one big scarf....more like a stole, really. Despite the apparent details of the pattern, it was actually a rather easy knit. The 'problem', if you want to call it that, was the yarn. It's very 'slippery', and I spent a lot of time keeping the yarn from sliding off the bamboo needles.

Next items are the hat, scarf and fingerless gloves I made for the sister. I found a pattern for a Hurry Up Scarf on Spindle and Wheel, and I incorporated the lace pattern into the hat and gloves. The yarn is my favorite, Blue Sky Alpaca Silk, in black. I think the three items took a total of 3.5 skeins (about 500 yrds).

The last item today is the Noro Hat I made for The Sister's boyfriend. I didn't follow the pattern, exactly. I sort of saw one and figured out the design before I knew there was a genuine pattern. So, I'm linking to the pattern, but it's not exactly the same as how I knit the hat. It took a little over a skein of Noro, and I can't remember at the moment which colorway it was. Noro has all those numbers anyway, and I bought several at one time.

The new item on the needles for me at the moment is a group knit I'm doing with some folks on Ravelry. I'm designing and leading a group knitting a mandala. It's a circular knit, and right now, all I've completed (and completed designing) is the center, but it's a start. It's been a tricky balance, as I didn't want the knit to be too boring, but it needed to be simple enough to practice mindfulness or meditation while knitting (the purpose of the group and the group knit). I've gotten a lot of positive remarks from the group, and that's been very reassuring that I'm going in the right direction. Now, to implement the second phase, which is the outer spiral.

Scarf It Up

In a fit of total insanity, I decided some time in November it would be a good idea to give fiber gifts. I have a lot to show, but until the gifts are actually distributed, I have to piece and parcel out the FO. So, here are the six scarves I created for The Things' teachers and principals.

I made two Kata Felicity Scarves from Mindful Knits. The burgundy one was made of 1.5 skeins of Blue Sky Alpaca Sport on size 8 needles. The blue one is made of a half a skein of Knit Picks Merino/Silk fingering weight and was hand dyed. I used size 8 needles on that too. I was afraid the Merino Silk would roll if I made the scarf by the pattern, so I did this one in garter stitch.

The dropped stitch scarf is made of 1 skein of hand dyed Patons Merino Wool with size 9 needles. The thing really grew during the washing and blocking. It wound up being 8" x 70".



The Fern Bank scarf was basically lifted straight off the pages on Barbara Walker's Treasury, vl. 1. It's also made of 1.5 skeins of Blue Sky Alpaca Sport on size 8 needles. Yes, I have a love affair with that yarn.

Branching Out from Knitty. Also of BSA sport, in charcoal. Took about 2 skeins for this one, on size 8 needles. I decided to make two sides and graft at the center so the vines would travel up on both sides. I liked the symmetry.

And, basic block weave pattern in 2.5 skeins of ONline Linie 157 Tessa. It's a superwash, and not the softest yarn I've ever worked with, but it blocked up rather nicely.

And, there's still more to be shown, after the gifting is over.

Note to self: start the fiber gifts earlier next time....like December 26.