Archive for knitting

Knitting For Charity

(This is double-posted here and over at Cats, Sheep, & Penguins because I couldn’t get into the admin part of this blog. That is, the page hung for about two minutes and I got fed up and closed the tab. You should check out CS&P anyway, because there are some other cool posts over there.)

My name on Ravelry is “glitterbug” (natch!), and I’m a member of 39 groups, one of which is Knitters For Obama, which, at 7:14 pm on Earth Day 2008 has a total of 1234 members. The Knitting With Hillary group, by stark comparison, has only 183 members. Our group has organized a “call to service” effort; we’re knitting baby bonnets and bibs to be donated to NICUs in upcoming primary states in honor of The Gentleman From Illinois. For whatever reason, I cannot for the life of me get the NICU T-Bonnet to print, so I’m making simple bibs. I found the perfect buttons today at Flying Fingers in Tarrytown, NY (my favorite LYS). Posing with the newly sprouted hosta, here are the four I’ve finished, ready to be Priority Mailed out to North Carolina tomorrow. As to the yarnover eyelets on the red one top right; yeah, I thought about that halfway through. Eyelets? On a bib? Not too savvy. But cute. What do you think?
4bibs

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A visit with The Yarn Harlot

Last night I went to see Stephanie Pearl-McPhee, aka The Yarn Harlot, speak at Borders Books on Columbus Circle. She was signing her fifth book, Things I Learned From Knitting…whether I wanted to or not. I went by myself this time, G having begged off, about which I had mixed feelings. Whenever we go somewhere, it is an epic struggle to get out of the house by the time I’ve planned. I had originally planned to leave by 4:30, which would have put me at Grand Central about 5:35, and down to the bookstore no later than 6, by which time I could have gotten a good seat. Any seat. As it was, we went to the bank, then the stupidmarket (not for a big shopping, mind you, just for enough to get him through lunch and dinner by himself), but when at the stupidmarket, G likes to look at everything. I was finally able to drag him away from the vinegar section with promises that we’d come back. We ended up getting me to the train station at 5:21, missing the 5:12, but on time for the 5:36. Which got in at 6:30. Fuck. Whatever.

Chris, my cabdriverI got on the train, pulled out my knitting, and worked on my sock the whole way. Upon arriving, I found my way to the taxi stand, where I was about fifth in line for a cab. A pedicab pulled up and solicited the line-standers, finally getting to me. The driver (biker?) asked where I was going, and I said, “Columbus Circle.” He said that he could get me there in under ten minutes. I bit. The ladies next to me in line said, “You go, girl!” Hey, I’m doing my part to reduce my carbon footprint, okay? I was a bit concerned about my weight in the back of the pedicab, but I needn’t have worried. The driver (Chris) had calves like rockets. I got in, and he took off, too quickly for me to figure out the blanket. So I was chilly when we his Seventh Avenue and the wind came off the river. Brrr. We got there by 7 (a little more than ten minutes, but we had to wait for a Kenworth semi to move before finally getting up on the sidewalk), I paid (!), exchanged names, and I fairly ran upstairs.

SPM, 2008.04.02I stood in back (as usual), but I could see her on the dais. Stephanie Pearl-McPhee, my hero. She writes the most wonderful blog about knitting and her life in Toronto. She was funny, and topical, and talked about all sorts of things, including theta waves, and how knitting allows you to fall into theta more easily, and how constructive and healthful it is for you. About how scientists who conducted a study on theta waves and including knitting in the short list of things to help induce a theta state concluded that knitting was not a viable alternative since, and she paused dramatically, no one could be expected to “carry emergency knitting with them.” The crowd laughed heartily. Most of us were knitting something while listening to her speak, and we didn’t just find the needles and yarn at Borders. I carry a sock-in-progress everywhere I go, just in case I have a little down time. Enough to knit a round or so, while waiting on line, in the doctor’s office, on my paltry lunch break, anywhere. G came up with the excellent suggestion for when I’m having a particularly bad time at work, to imagine that I’m knitting. Mental knitting.

meanddenise20080402I waited on line for over an hour to meet her (again) and get my book signed, chatting with other women in line. Everyone is on Ravelry now, and I made plans to “friend” the woman with whom I spent the most time talking. It seems amazing to me that a mere year and a half ago, when I saw Stephanie speak at Barnes & Noble in Park Slope and met Penguin Girl, I was not yet on Ravelry, in fact, I don’t even know if it existed. I’ve been a member since June 20, 2007. EarthTonesGirl found me on line (she’d gotten there much earlier and tried to save me a seat), and we squeed and chatted and made plans to get together in the very near future.

SPM and me 2008.04.02I finally got up to the table, and introduced myself. She said, “I know who you are.” She remembered me! Squee! She told me she liked my shirt (my pink Obama ‘08 tee, you can just about see the logo in the photo), and said that if she could vote in this country, she’d vote for him. I probably said something stupid which thankfully I don’t remember, she signed my book, we exchanged socks, and I gave my camera to the Borders guy in black who was standing there for the express purpose of taking fan photos. Also to give out pins and bookmarks. He said, “Anything for an Obama supporter.” I had my little bag of “O Is For Obama” buttons that I’d made at CafePress, and gave one each to her and the Borders guy. She looked for her bag on which to pin it, I am so psyched! I told her about the mental knitting thing, and she talked some more about theta waves, but really, I was just in awe. I know it sounds idiotic, but I want to be her when I grow up. I thanked her, and walked away, stopping to get some New York City postcards for the Postcards For Obama campaign.

Here’s the outcome of last night:

Signed bookbookbookbookbook

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More FOs, and a contest!

Well, it isn’t my contest, it’s Yarnpig’s, but it’s fun to enter all the same! Go here to enter, and while you’re there, take some time to read her blog, too!

On the finished object front, I started and finished the booties below in a record-breaking (for me) five days! Here are the specifics: Plymouth Encore Worsted Weight, colorway 233 (white), two Addi Turbo size 3s, my usual sock recipe, scaled down for baby feet. I cast on eight stitches in a figure-8, then increased to 14 on a side, then knit stockinette until the foot looked long enough (?), did a short-row heel leaving four stitches in the middle, then stockinette stitch until the leg looked long enough. I think I’m doing something wrong though; I don’t add a gusset when I’m doing the heel, and the sock kind of bunches on the other side. Problem is, I don’t know how to add a gusset. Help, anyone? And yes, I’m going to add a stitch to close up the little hole where the heel joined the rest of the sock. Sometimes I can’t get that part pulled tight enough.

Finished booties for Lorene

Closeup of bootie, showing non-gusseted area

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On this day:

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Whimsical cap

I finally finished G’s cap! On the Vernal Equinox, no less, just in time for warmer weather (we hope). Groan. At least he’ll have it for next year. 1.5 skeins Blue Sky Alpacas Sportweight, colorway 308 (I don’t think it’s available anymore, I totally scored two returned skeins at Flying Fingers), pattern is Whimsical Hats by Linda Niemeyer. Here it is, with him in it:

Whimsical Cap, by Linda Niemeyer

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Awesome stitch markers

Rated R stitch markersfrom Sweetie Peas’ Etsy site. She’s a member of Ravelry, which is where I “met” her. Like I need one more set of stitch markers. Except that she does custom words, and I wanted something a little more risqué than her “Grumpy” ones. She also sent me a really cool present extra:

Heart Obama Stitck Marker from Sweetie Peas’ Etsy site

Love it.

In other news, I got a call from my new boss this morning, and I start work Monday! I took my new pants to Domenic’s Cleaners to be hemmed, and they wonderfully agreed to have them ready by tomorrow afternoon. I told them I hated asking for the rush job; I despise queue-jumpers of any kind, and am loath to do it myself, but I left it too late. I think that I wasn’t altogether confident that I really had the job, and was putting off altering pants that might have to be returned. I guess I can breathe easier now. So now the question is, what to wear? I bought a pants suit (black, goes with everything) and a skirt (black, with pink embroidery), some jackets and a few tops that will go with the pants. I’ll probably have to get another pair of pants, but I didn’t want to go overboard for a job I wasn’t sure about. I won’t be able to wear the last batch of clothes I bought until I lose some of my unemployment weight. Which should be pretty quick; eight hours on your feet tends to make the pounds melt off. Plus, I won’t be near a kitchen all day long either. I’ll have to bring a small jar of Skippy and a spoon so I can take my 3:30 pill; if I take it without some kind of protein, I get dizzy. And more dizzy I don’t need.

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Etsy.com

Chalcedony and pearl stitch markersPearl and Swarovski crystal stitch markersI opened an Etsy shop. It was inevitable, given my penchant for all things glittery and the love I have of handcraft. Right now there’s only two things in it, two sets of stitch markers with semiprecious stones and pearls. I’m working on more, but am also working on seven more sets to make to donate for goody bags for a knitting cruise to Alaska. I’m going to do business cards at Overnight Prints. They do a really nice job, and have small lots available with quick turnaround times. The question is, what do I want on my cards? Just the Etsy address? Or do I put my blog on there to, for a double whammy? I think I want a photograph of a bunch of the beads I use on the card, at least I do on the shop’s banner. So much to think about, so much to do!

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On this day: Started Gary’s scarf 2007

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Mmm…baby alpaca…

Plymouth Bristol Yarn Gallery Buckingham 80% baby alpaca, 20% silk, colorways 5293 (green), 100 (cream)And from Plymouth Yarns of all places! I bought two skeins of their Bristol Yarn Gallery Buckingham 80% baby alpaca, 20% silk. A total bargain for $7.99 for approximately 218 yards (50g). I bought one skein in a soft chartreuse and one in a lovely cream. I’m going to knit myself the shortest of the stocking caps in the Whimsical Hats pattern from Blue Sky that I bought yesterday at Flying Fingers. Stripey for me, solid blue for G. I looove alpaca. It’s soft and yummy. From the BSA ball band: “Alpaca is a rare, small, curious, and intelligent fiber-producing camelid sheared once a year for the most luxurious fiber in the world. Alpaca fiber is warmer, stronger, softer, and lighter-weight than wool!” (grammatical errors and typos fixed by yours truly). Looking at the yardages though, I’m thinking I can get away with maybe even the medium stocking cap (218 x 2 = 436 yds vs. 120 x 2 = 240 yds), I’ll just keep knitting until I run out.

Sakura, by Bluestocking YarnsI was afraid of falling into the sock yarn while I was up at Cornwall and fall I did, if only a little ways. Here is Sakura from Bluestocking Yarns, inspired by Memoirs of a Geisha: “I thought of the petals I’d thrown into the Kamo River shallows…imagining they might find their way to the Chairman. It seemed to me that, somehow, perhaps they had.” I find myself actually not just stash-enhancing now, but buying for specific projects. Does this mean I’m becoming a more responsible knitter? Is that such a bad thing?

Higher mathAfter watching the Repugnican debate (most of which I slept through), I decided to cast on for G’s hat. Imagine my surprise when I realized that I had forgotten how to cast on any other way than the simple loop method! I quickly checked out YouTube and found some fuzzy, stuttery videos looking like they’d been shot using Skype. No help there. I went upstairs to tell G that I was having troubles and could he help. “But I don’t know anything about knitting!” he protested. “Yeah, but you’re really smart.” No dice. I ended up hunting up the Lucy Neatby DVDs I’d bought after her sock class last summer. Was I thoughtful enough to buy the Knitting Essentials DVD with basics on it? Yes I was! Minutes later I had two versions to play with, plus the bonus tip of doubling my tail to eight times’ length to create a super-strong and stretchy edge. Just perfect for a hat. The pattern calls for 144 co sts, but I may increase that to 168 (24″ circumference x 7 sts per inch). I could listen to Lucy all day. I’m going to go put the DVD in the player downstairs and watch her on the big screen.

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On this day: pms 2006

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Half skeins?!?

Blue Sky Alpacas #308 for G’s Whimsical CapYou have GOT to check out The Loopy Ewe. Not only do they have like a zillion colors of Colinette Jitterbug, but they also sell HALF SKEINS. That’s right, because one skein isn’t quite enough and two is just overkill. So I got myself a half skein of Blue Parrot to finish off my dad’s Chanukah socks (about two inches to go). They bill themselves as “your online source for sock yarns, patterns, and fun accessories.” I restrained myself and only bought what I needed at this moment (I have a Blue Sky Alpacas Whimsical Cap for G that needs knitting up, not even on the needles yet, but there’s the yarn at right, and I’m busy with Crazy4Dyeing’s “You Look Wonderful Tonight” socks, my toe-up recipe). I have it on good authority that they ship Priority Mail, so I’m looking at gratification within the week. Unfortunately, they didn’t have the size Addis that I need (Flying Fingers only had one size zero in the 24″ length. I bought it.), so it looks like I’m calling Cornwall again tomorrow. Not that I dislike that shop, I likes it fine, and they’ve moved into new quarters, I just end up falling into the sock yarn whenever I’m there.

I ran into Earthtones Girl today and we caught up some. I’ve missed her so much! I added her to my blogroll so you can see what she’s been up to as well. I’m busy reading back through her archives. We added each other on Ravelry and have tentative plans for playdates and dinner. I foresee time spent spinning by the fire…Hi ETG!

I’m calling Whitehall tomorrow to follow up on the interview, I’ll rehash here when I get more information. Fingers crossed…

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I’m a little afraid

as I always am when reading a really good book; that soon the book will draw to a close and there will be no more story, no more involvement with the characters and their universe(s). We went to see The Golden Compass a few weeks ago and I have been fairly obsessed with reading the books. I’m through The Golden Compass and The Subtle Knife; The Amber Spyglass waits for me by the bed. There’s also Lyra’s Oxford to be read, and others by Philip Pullman, but no more of the His Dark Materials series. Amazon has a really nice boxed set of trade paperbacks just like the ones I bought separately at Barnes & Noble (I couldn’t wait even for overnight shipping). I held off reading this evening so far by wasting (?) some time preparing the Chocolate Butter Cookie recipe for tomorrow’s baking, I have knitting to do (although not much, since I fear I’ll run out of yarn right before the last row. Damnit.), and I also have god is not great (How Religion Poisons Everything) to read (courtesy of my rather religious SIL by way of my Amazon wish list. Amazon makes for strange bedfellows.), as well as Stumbling On Happiness. So there’s much to do, but I’m itching to get my eyes on The Amber Spyglass. What to do, what to do?

Not gonna make itYou Look Wonderful Tonight socks, 1/30/2008, my standard toe-up recipeE2A: An Etsy package came today with some gorgeous yarn inside (“You Look Wonderful Tonight” by Ellie at Crazy4Dyeing). I’ve been watching her blog for some time now (last May she tagged me for the “8 Random Things” meme) and she’s really come a long way, both in her knitting and her dyeing. Would that I were so adventurous! To the yarn: The colorway is inspired by the Michael Bublé she was listening to and I must say, it is soft, subtle, beautiful. Just like his music. So I put up the swift and ballwinder and made myself a nice fat centerpull cake out of the yarn. I’ll start it on two pairs of size 1 circs when I run out of the Jitterbug. I’ll call Flying Fingers tomorrow to see if they’ve got any left (their website says no), or I’ll order from ThreadBear.

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Fiber for a cause

All right everyone! Get out your needles and hooks and that spare acrylic or cotton yarn and start creating some six inch squares! They’re for a very good cause, “they will be sewn together into small blankets and donated to The Animal Orphanage and the Bangor Humane Society to serve as bedding for cats,” says Ardeana Hamlin of the Bangor Daily News. You can win a book for your endeavor, one of the On the Go series of books — “Cables” if you are knitter, or “Felted Crochet” if you are a crocheter. Here’s the link to the website with the whole story. As I sit typing this, there is a very large Maine Coon cat sitting on my lap (it is very hard to type around a Tigger), nudging me to write the most enticing words possible to lure you into helping his fellow felines. So I tell you what, when you’ve sent in your square(s), post a comment to this blog, and I’ll put everyone’s name into a hat and the winner will receive:

Abby Franquemont’s Country Stream roving

One ounce of Abby Franquemont’s 80/20 wool/mohair blend roving in the Country Stream colorway! Oh wait, what if you don’t spin? Okay, here’s something else for the non-spinner:

Fingerlakes Soft Wool, dark blue

Four ounces of Fingerlakes Soft Wool in a dark blue! When you post your comment, please tell me if you are a spinner or non. This is all on the honor system, and the more squares you create, the more entries you get. Plus, you get the satisfaction of knowing that some very sad kitties will be made happier by your act of kindness.

Send your squares to: By Hand, Bangor Daily News, PO Box 1329, Bangor ME 04402 by Tuesday, February 26.

I thank you, and the pussycats thank you.
Knit (or crochet) on!

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