Someone knit me something!

Our NYC family came over yesterday for a belated birthday and early Christmas celebration.  Us adult siblings no longer exchange gifts, so I was surprised when my sister produced a present for me.  I love it!  A neck cozy that warms me perfectly, in my favorite yarn: Noro.

Peace and love.

Adieu, stix

My favorite LYS (local yarn store) is closing.  I'm sad about that.  Not so much for myself since I have not been knitting that much in the last year or so, but for the community.  Sheila ran a lovely shop, one of those places it was good to know simply existed.

I went over today, they are in the home stretch and the discounts are deep.  This is what I came home with (stayed within my arbitrary budget of $60):

The sample Diorama was the most expensive item that came home with me (but a bargain, I think, at $25).  It hadn't even occurred to me that I'd be buying a handknit piece of clothing.  I was (still am) thrilled.  It's super soft and I love the color (a bit richer in real life) and I love the seed stitch and chain link detailing (Cap thought it looked like chain mail).  I think wearing this piece might inspire and motivate me to knit something more substantial for myself in the future.  We shall see.

The one skein of yarn I bought is a Cherry Tree Hill Fingerpaints self-striping superwash merino sock yarn.  I've never bought yarn made by this Vermont company.  The colors are darker and richer than pictured.  The colorway is called Secret Garden, which, as words so often do, grabbed me by the heart and squeezed.

The books were interesting choices.  More technical than anything else, though the knit, edgings and trims has a lot of pretty inside that is not merely practical.  The books were 40% off 30% off and were really a good deal.  I was prepared to leave the Book of Finishing Techniques behind thinking I didn't have enough money for it, but with the unexpected discount, I was able to bring it home.

I do feel the stirrings of inspiration...of mojo mulling a return.

Peace and love.

Kogarashi DPC

I was going to regale you with images of sleep deprivation/insomnia and dry cracking skin.  How fun would that have been?  Suffering these longer terms symptoms of imbalance (around sugar and gluten/grain in particular)...sucks.  Whether I go to bed at 10:30 or 1:00, I cannot escape, for now, lying awake for over two hours.  My hair has started falling out again and my skin, especially on my hands and lower legs are scaly, cracking and/or itchy.

But.

So far, we're not succumbing to the GI bug we were exposed to.  I was going to take the kids out to see a movie today, but then decided to watch one at home.  No need to push the immune system farther.  Tin Tin will wait.

And.

Going Bovine started slow for me.  Yesterday afternoon I picked it up again and was rewarded.  The book has started to pick up significant steam and I can't wait to read more of it today.

Also.

I wound Kogarashi last night between reading a chapter of Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator to the kids and giggling to 30 Rock.  This yarn is so luxe and fab.  I decided to keep it simple, which I highly recommend when you have a yarn that is going to do all the work for you.  I also went with a cowl so I'd be able to feel the cozy right up against my skin when all was said and done.

My Kogarashi DPC (Dolores Park Cowl w/ some mods) knit up like a dream.

This morning, as I staggered out of bed dizzy(that hasn't happened in awhile) and sleep deprived, I was bummed.  But when I pulled the cowl over my head, a snuggly transformation did occur.  Enveloped in warm and happy there was nothing to do but capture some love and light and smile instead.

Peace and love and how'd it get to be happy Friday.  (Have you noticed how time is flying?)

Kogarashi

This skein is distracting me with its good looks.  Is it love or lust?  Only time will tell...

Highlights

Cap received copies of his new book, hot of the press!  You can pre-order it at Barnes and Noble, or better yet, through your local indie bookstore.  We are, as ever, so proud of him.  A book!  So cool!

The kids are both in the midst of measuring units in Math.  For Sag, the investigating veered into Science as he played around with displacement.

I am pleased.  Ends have been woven in and a padded envelope secured and addressed.  The cowl will be on its way to Lana tomorrow.  She lives in SF and needs something cozy to keep her warm in her apartment.  If you've ever lived in the Bay Area, you know what I mean.  (That's Gem in the background.)

Had a touch of insomnia the past two nights.  Return of another pre-sugar- and grain-free symptom.  I think the lamb dish at the Turkish place Sunday night definitely had gluten in it.

Anyhoo, I had a lovely hour this morning running errands with the car and without the kids.  Picked up Man On Wire at the library (and did not pick up a latte to go for $4).  My friend, Bridget, is starting up a Documentary Club.  Perfect for me since I'm hoping to watch a documentary a month this year.

Picked up Going Bovine at the bookshop.  I had a pang of regret at the library the other day when I saw a copy in the YA room I was perusing for the first time looking for books for the kids.  (They grow so fast, sniff sniff, blah, blah, blah.)  But once I held the book in my hands while paying for it?  No regrets.  It was gift money well spent.  The kids were both intrigued and tickled by the cover when I got home, too.

I had some "doh!" moments this morning...continued ADDishness.  But, I had the luxury of my own time so I just kept going.  Back towards the library to stop into the yarn store.  I needed needles for a new project.

Then strolled to the truly indie toy shop (the other two toyshops in town are indie, too, but are franchises) for a gift card for a friend celebrating a birthday today.  (Original plan was to get him one to the bookshop.)

On my way back to the car, I passed the other yarn shop in this part of town.  I peeked in and found some Noro I had never heard of before!  Kogarashi.  Very yummy.

All this is to say that it's been a much more energizing day than I anticipated.  The second day of my period is usually a brutally exhausting affair.  I've had my moments, but overall, it has been quite a productive and clear-minded day.

I've called the Museum and spoken to the program director about our concerns with the class Sag is taking, I picked up a hard copy of my lab results from the doctor's office, I cashed a birthday check and ordered another of my 2012 books (kiitos Mummu!)  I made some lamb burgers.  Delish.  (I always forget to include the vinegar and always sub some kind of herb for the parsley I never seem to have on hand.)

Peace and love...off to commune some more with the kids, fold laundry, fix dinner, knit some and read some.

Delphinium

Fueled by Turkish coffee, I finished a Dolores Park Cowl.  The yarn is Misti Alpaca Handpainted Chunky in Delphinium (which looks like it may be a discontinued colorway).  I love alpaca wool.  This cowl is incredibly soft and wonderfully warm.  Yum.

(Not sure I am keeping it, however...)

Cuttin' it close

Well, well, well...I knit a cowl tonight.  There were a couple of rusty moments casting on and binding off, but otherwise, I was pleasantly surprised at how basic knitting is much like riding a bike.  It seems, you don't forget.

I realized this afternoon that I had completely forgotten about a Secret Santa happening tomorrow later today (it's 2am!) when we gather with my side of the family.  So, after we had our New Year's Eve dinner (I ended up eating Chinese food...more on that later), I searched Ravelry for quick projects.  With a couple of patterns in mind, I then stash dove for inspiration.  Then, I dug deeper into Ravelry for yarn-specific projects (I love that website).

Just over an hour later, I had a free cowl pattern downloaded onto Lula and cast on some very nice Debbie Bliss Cashmerino DK.  It was 9pm.

While knitting on the couch, the boys blogged, played Wii, watched Buster Keaton, had ice cream with fresh fruit, and watched The Three Stooges.  I paused long enough to toast in the new year with a glass of sparkling cider.

Then, Cap tucked the kids in and he wandered off to his laptop and chair.  I watched a repeat of Saturday Night Live that came on.

I finished weaving in the ends as SNL ended.  The cowl took just under five hours.  It's called Cuttin' It Close and was a perfect project for someone who hasn't knit in nearly a year and who wanted to make a fast handknit to gift to someone special.  (The name of the pattern was so apt.)

This isn't a fancy knit, but as is so often the case, good yarn transforms the finished object into something greater than its parts.  This was my first time knitting with Debbie Bliss Cashmerino DK and I thought it was lovely.  The cowl has both loft and cushy substance.  And it's warm.

Happy new year wishes to you.  I hope 2012 is lovely, warm and has both loft and cushy substance.

Cuttin' It Close cowl

yarn: Debbie Bliss DK Cashmerino (held double)

needles: 10.5 US, 16 inch circulars

gauge: 3.5 sts/inch (yep, I swatched)

started: 12/31/11

finished: 1/1/2012

Blessings

Yesterday we spent the day at Sandy and Mike's cabin in the woods.  We celebrated Christmas with them and my mom and my brother's dog who is staying with us for a week while he and his family visit with best friends in Florida.

I am feeling deeply the blessings of the season and our life.

happy lap dog.

beta testing their new game.

rustic festive.

functional fiber fun.

evening feast simmering on the wood stove.

treetop angel.

ice flow.

wonder-ground.

shimobashira (needle ice in English).

he was the odds on favorite for ending up in the frigid water (he didn't).

double-fisted.

even this city dog was drawn in.

bridge-building.

fading light.

what's up is down.

found.

playing with ice.

garland (crochet on plastic bottle rings).

post-presents pre-dinner recreation.

Uncle's boy.

Brooklyn Tweed

Excuse me, while I kiss the wool...

 pic from the Knitch blog.

I have long admired the work and aesthetic of Jared Flood.  Also known as Brooklyn Tweed.  I've been following his knit design work on his blog for years.  He is also a photographer.  I think he used to have a day job, as well, but am not sure he's kept it.

Because, this year, Brooklyn Tweed introduced to the world his own line of wool yarn.  He has started a line of 100% wool skeins using fiber from sheep born and bred in the United States.  The mill where the wool is made is also in the United States.  (Details abound much more eloquently at the link below the photograph.)

As if that weren't enough to get my heart to go pitter pat, the colors of his yarn are incredible.  They surprise you.  They seem kind of plain initially (at least for a Noro and Malabrigo lover like me), but as your eyes settle and rest on them, the skeins begin to take on subtle yet depthful complexity.

Alchemy.

And passion.

And peace.

I spent some time at Brooklyn Tweed's online shop tonight.  I had good reason to celebrate someone dear who loves to knit.  Finally, I could justify making a purchase.  (My own fiber consumption has gone way down as I've tightened my money belt.)

I realized as I moved through the shop and completed my transaction, that I felt very peaceful.  It was lovely.

If you'd like to check Brooklyn Tweed out, you can do so, here.

Rhinebeck yarn

I came in well below budget.  I made some rookie mistakes this trip.  (I did not see all the yarn there was to see.)  I came away with two skeins of yarn.  I love them for different reasons.

pretty, pretty.

Skein on top: Hope Spinnery Wind-Spun Yarn (how cool is that?)  100% Island Organic Wool.  Purple Twist (naturally dyed).

Skein on bottom: Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks That Rock (my very first skein of this rockstar of a yarn in the sock knitting community, made in the Pacific Northwest of the USA).  100% Superwash Merino-lightweight.  Slayer (Buffy!).

Glance

It was another one of those days.  I am so lucky.  Beauty is there for the seeing.

A good day

A cold front came through last night. Sag and I slept together in the living room (he's been having some intense bouts of "bad thoughts" at bedtime). The windows were wide open all night. I love that. I slept like a baby.

I lassoed the morning with some structure and organization. After breakfast the kids and I spent two hours together reading, playing Chutes and Ladders (hopefully not again anytime soon, I can't stand that game), and writing. More structure means I'm going to have to do some planning and prepping. Re-enter one passion, another will have to exit. (So it goes in my world of musical interests/activities.)

We spent the afternoon at Danielle's. The kids played, I did a bit of food shopping, and D and I got to spend some time hanging out which we haven't done in awhile. It was wonderfully relaxing.

I read aloud a chapter of The Middle Moffat after we got home. Put some rice in the rice cooker and then the kids and I watched last night's episode of "Next Food Network Star". I made a patchwork type of dinner: three different types of sandwiches for three of us, rice for the fourth, anchoring it all with sautéed zucchini, onion and garlic from the farm.

Cap took the kids to the comic book store for some birthday gift shopping. And once I got the kitchen cleaned up, I caught up with my online stuff and then opened the box that arrived in the mail this morning.

me and my cone.

I'm going to enjoy tonight's episode of The Closer with my gelati from Rita's. A hormonal treat which may also teach the kids the value of finishing one's truly small portion of vegetables...you never know when dessert is going to be something as sweet as Rita's.

On deck for tomorrow: washing the kitchen floor, playdate with Melody and her boys, the Stix-n-Stitches birthday yarn sale (I have a gift certificate!), CSA pick up (veggies! fruit! chicken! eggs!), and an appointment with Vinny.

Ongoing: falling back in love with reading...

Cranked it

The knitting and dropping dropping dropping of stitches is done on my Sunday Market Shawl.  Ends need to be woven in and I think this may look quite different once it is blocked.  I am considering buying a hand held clothes steamer to block this (and future items).

For now, I am satisfied to be somewhat finished.  And am finding this shawl/scarf very cozy and warm.  The yarn is awesome.

Off to snuggle in with the kids in the big bed.  I will not set an alarm for the first time all week.

Knitting mojo

It comes and goes and I've gotten used to that.  I don't really miss it when it's gone...mojo is so visceral, as opposed to a 'head' thing, and so that makes sense to me.  It's gut aligned just so with Spirit and therefore the excision is clean when it goes.  So clean it doesn't hurt at all.

Its total return two days ago has been quite pleasurable.  Which surprised me.  A bit.  In a reverse way.  As in...how interesting that something I didn't miss could bring such joy when it comes back.

a semi-stealth project (more on it later).

frog away!

I started and completed a stealth project in one day, the day before yesterday.  So satisfying.  

I adore the depth and breadth of my stash.  I spent some time going through my yarn and then some time on Ravelry going through patterns.  

Then I went through various yarn choices for the patterns I liked.  This is my favorite feature of Ravelry.  For every pattern that is on there (thousands, I'm guessing) you have the option of clicking on a button and seeing what yarns actual knitters have used to knit the pattern.  You can then click on any of the yarn choices and be brought to a page which lists all the projects that have been knitted with that particular yarn, pictures and notes and all.  Love it.

By the time I was cozy and beginning to knit, I had probably spent about two hours in preparation.  After choosing the pattern and yarn, I wound the yarn into a ball, fished the needles and notions out of my semi-organized supplies, and decided I didn't need to photocopy the pattern (I left the pdf on the computer screen and walked over to check it when I needed to...I will likely photocopy it and put it in my binder at some point.)

I started to knit and it was love.  The yarn is a hand spun and hand dyed 100% merino wool that I picked up at the NJ Sheep and Fiber Festival three years ago.  The label only had content, weight and price info on it so I don't know who made it and/or sold it to me.  I do have a vague recollection of Gem choosing the color and of my thinking that I would use it to teach him how to knit.

It turned out to be the perfect skein for this project.  It is incredibly soft and yet has a firmness to it.  Now that it is knit up, I swear, I feel life surging through it whenever I touch it.  Energy...it's amazing.

That evening, I was dropped off at home after common meal and the boys went to the comic book store.  I settled down in front of my personal Big Love marathon and knit for hours, for the rest of the night.  The kids were occupied with their new comics once they were home and Cap put them to bed.

I'll show more pictures and reveal the pattern once the recipient of this gift has had her reveal.

Yesterday was an odd day in that I had a headache the whole day.  I used to get headaches fairly frequently, but TCM has helped me rebalance myself to a point where I now rarely get them.  When I do, like I did yesterday, it is now crystal clear to me that my body is communicating to me about an imbalance.  It's not always apparent to me where the imbalance is, or how to correct it, but for me, simply understanding it in this way helps to keep stress or anxiety about experiencing pain at a minimum.

I spent the morning hours preparing a vegetable soup with my homemade liquid gold for lunch, and Elizabeth's sloppy lentils for dinner.  After lunch T and her kids came over to play, braving the elements (the nor'easter started early yesterday morning).  Once they left, my headache got worse.  I hobbled through dinner, decided I wasn't up to blogging (a rare day off of blogging for me yesterday!), and realized my fingers were itching to get themselves on some fiber.

Because of my headache, it needed to be something simple.  So I reached for the long ago finished Sunday Market Shawl that has been hibernating in one of my baskets for months.  It was a project that I didn't like the looks of once completed.  But every single person who had seen it liked it.  I loved the yarn, Noro Cash Iroha, and didn't want to waste it on something I felt likely not to wear that much because I thought the garment was ugly.  

In my experience, frogging (unraveling a project) is not easy to do, until the moment comes, and then it is, in fact, very easy to do.

So I frogged the Sunday Market Shawl and began a new one, with the same luscious yarn, going down a couple of needle sizes.  I held in my mind the inspiration of the buttery sunny yellow SMS Kelly knit for Kate.  And Wendy's which I saw so long ago but remember quite clearly in the Florida light out on her deck.

I think mine is going to be somewhere in between these two envisioned memories, in terms of 'ladder pane' size (the very special feature of this project).  It felt really good casting on and seeing the stitches form in the size they did last night.  I look forward to more knitting today.

Hope your mojo is working for you these days, in whatever realm it comes to you.

Fiber love

 

beauty.

In my family of origin, I am the fiber artist wanna be.  Both my mother and sister are gifted crafters and their talents spread across many disciplines.  My sister wowed me with this handknit last night.  It's Elizabeth Zimmerman's Seamless Yoke sweater.  The colors in the yoke use the Hermione yarn I gave her for her birthday, the same yarn she used for my gloves.

(She also knit a jumper for our niece.  I can't believe I didn't get a picture of it!  Too busy enjoying my Carvel ice cream cake...which tasted exactly the same as it ever did...love the chocolate crunchies...  She used the cotton candy pink mohair that was gifted to my stash by mother's good friend a few years ago...a circle of love.)

I finished Vanessa's scarf last night.  Garter stitch over and over was all I could muster, but a simple knit using wonderful yarn (discontinued...say it ain't so!) turned out a pretty perfect scarf for a girl who loves purple and eye-catching detail.  (The colors are darker and richer in real life...)

 

Noro rocks.