I've found a new podcast to feed my ipod habit. I'm listening to Stash and Burn, a west coast pair of knitters talking about their stash habit. As usual, I'm starting with podcast number one and will work (walk) my way through the series until I get up to the present. I'm now up to last June in Ready, Set, Knit, and have just a few more episodes of Knit Picks to catch up on. Luckily, wanting to listen to all of these programs inspires me to walk! I rarely allow myself to listen to them when not walking -- just sitting around doesn't earn me my programs. Sometimes on a long car drive I'll listen to a few, but as I'm usually quite happy listening to the radio while driving, I try to save them for walking.
I was very excited to receive my first ever Webs catalog yesterday, and my Fall Interweave Knits edition. I stayed up late looking at the pictures -- tonight I'll start reading the articles!
ON MY NEEDLES
One other UFO I haven't mentioned (nor have I touched it in months) is a prayer shawl. I go through spurts when I've participated in our church's prayer shawl ministry. I'm particularly inspired when there is someone I want to give one too -- a friend with breast cancer in my basketweaving group and a friend who was remarrying after the death of his previous wife were the two that I worked hard and fast on. This one is just one for the group to have on hand if there is a request for a shawl, so it is slow going. I like to develop a mantra for the three stitch pattern. For my friend with cancer, I think it was Love, Strength, and Warmth. For the wedding one it was Faith, Hope, and Love. That way I'm not just knitting, but actually knitting my prayer for the person into it. I don't remember the prayer I was using for this shawl, which may be part of why it is hard for me to pick up and complete. I'll have to work on it (the prayer, that is, then the shawl).
Speaking of shawls, I'm itching to do a lace one for myself. I've either got to get the Knitting Around book so I can knit the Pi Shawl, or I've got to finally select one of the Folk Shawls to do. It made me laugh (while walking) when Kelly Petkin on Knit Picks' podcast mentioned that she has the Folk Shawls book too and has looked at it many times but never knit one of the patterns. Guess I'm not alone!
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Knitting Lust?
I have a birthday coming up. It is a "big one." My sisters asked me what I'd like to do to celebrate and I suggested a girlie outing -- maybe a spa day. While that still sounds like fun, I'm also thinking this is an opportunity to ask for some of the knitting books I'm longing to hold and read and dream over and to have an excuse to buy yarn and start new projects. Or, is that just pure lust? I get that feeling every time I listen to knitting podcasts or reading Knitting Daily or other blogs and online newsletters. Even though I know that my schedule just doesn't permit me to spend much (any?) time knitting (and you can insert quilting/sewing/basketweaving in there too). Then I get too many unfinished projects sitting around and my husband complains that there is nowhere for him to sit.
The root of the problem is that I'm an idea person. I'm full of ideas and attracted to the idea of many different projects, but just don't have the time to execute them all. It is so frustrating and almost a physical feeling of frustration when my hands can't work on the things in my head. I laugh inside when people say how empty my nest will be next year (my sons are twins, so we'll be empty all at once) and think about all of my other "children" in the form of unfinished projects and lovely un-acted upon ideas. I think I'll be OK. I can cry and knit at the same time.
ON MY NEEDLES
Everything is exactly as it was the last time I blogged -- just waiting for my attention.
WHAT I'M READING
A friend just loaned me Water for Elephants. I'm anxious to read it as three people I know could hardly put it down, but I'm also anxious about reading it as three people I know could hardly put it down. For a woman with no time to knit, a riveting book may not be the right tonic. But, who can resist a good book or a beautiful skein of yarn? Not me!
The root of the problem is that I'm an idea person. I'm full of ideas and attracted to the idea of many different projects, but just don't have the time to execute them all. It is so frustrating and almost a physical feeling of frustration when my hands can't work on the things in my head. I laugh inside when people say how empty my nest will be next year (my sons are twins, so we'll be empty all at once) and think about all of my other "children" in the form of unfinished projects and lovely un-acted upon ideas. I think I'll be OK. I can cry and knit at the same time.
ON MY NEEDLES
Everything is exactly as it was the last time I blogged -- just waiting for my attention.
WHAT I'M READING
A friend just loaned me Water for Elephants. I'm anxious to read it as three people I know could hardly put it down, but I'm also anxious about reading it as three people I know could hardly put it down. For a woman with no time to knit, a riveting book may not be the right tonic. But, who can resist a good book or a beautiful skein of yarn? Not me!
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Knitting on the Back Burner
So far, this month hasn't been one for getting much done at home. I was in the car for about 2 1/2 hours today, driving to and from a meeting at Camp Bishopswood, and managed to listen to about 5 broadcasts of Ready, Set, Knit. I discovered the podcast this summer, but am still trying to get caught up to the present. I think it would be fun to participate in a knit-along in real time (I did the Vermont Felted Bag during the summer while listening to the early broadcasts -- still haven't actually felted it, though) but like to do things sequentially, so am about 20 broadcasts away from current ones. I also was very excited to find that a new Let's Knit 2gether was available today, and very disappointed to find out that the Red Sox did not have a Stitch 'n Pitch!
I'm wrapped in my Clapotis Shawl, even though I haven't yet taken care of the yarn ends. It is getting chilly early here in Maine but I can't bring myself to turn on the furnace until October at the very soonest. The shawl is quite nice, but not as big as a real shawl -- more of an in-between a shawl and a scarf. I'd love to do a real shawl, but can't decide which one out of the Folk Shawls book I should do first. Decisions, decisions.
ON MY NEEDLES
The feather and fan scarf has been coming along nicely, though lace knits up so much more slowly than worsted. I thought at first that it would be slow torture but am pleasantly surprised with the progress I'm making.
Zeben's socks are nearly up to the ankle. This pattern calls for you to do the heel after the rest of the sock is finished (it looks like you put the heel stitches on waste yarn, cast them back on and knit the rest of the sock and come back to do the heel). I've never done the heel that way, but am enjoying how quickly the socks (plural!) are moving along on two needles.
As mentioned above, the Clapotis is done, but not finished.
The jacket sleeves are untouched.
And, I realized that I have a couple of things on needles that I haven't admitted to. I have a half a lace-pattern cardigan half on and half off the needles. I made one many years ago that I wore until it could be worn no longer, but only got this one up to the armholes before putting it aside more than a year ago.
I have a lace scarf in the works that I started back when the boys were in 4th or 5th grade. It is one where you knit two halves and graft them in the middle. I've got one side done and then had problems with the second side so it sits in a bag now.
I have a green Lopi sweater that I made for Zeben but which was too tightly knit in the body (knit while watching regional swim meets two years ago) and too loosely knit in the yoke. I took the yoke out and need to re-knit it. I also have a Lopi sweater for myself that is up to the yoke, but laying dormant.
It seems to me there was another project I found the other day, but I can't even remember what it was, so you can tell it is quite abandoned.
I did take out all the socks I'd finished and sew in the ends and grafted the one toe I hadn't finished. I even wore a pair to work the other day!
Ah, new yarn calls me to start new projects like a siren -- maybe there is a silver lining to the busy start of the school year. It is easier to pick up and work on projects already in progress than to start a new one.
I'm wrapped in my Clapotis Shawl, even though I haven't yet taken care of the yarn ends. It is getting chilly early here in Maine but I can't bring myself to turn on the furnace until October at the very soonest. The shawl is quite nice, but not as big as a real shawl -- more of an in-between a shawl and a scarf. I'd love to do a real shawl, but can't decide which one out of the Folk Shawls book I should do first. Decisions, decisions.
ON MY NEEDLES
The feather and fan scarf has been coming along nicely, though lace knits up so much more slowly than worsted. I thought at first that it would be slow torture but am pleasantly surprised with the progress I'm making.
Zeben's socks are nearly up to the ankle. This pattern calls for you to do the heel after the rest of the sock is finished (it looks like you put the heel stitches on waste yarn, cast them back on and knit the rest of the sock and come back to do the heel). I've never done the heel that way, but am enjoying how quickly the socks (plural!) are moving along on two needles.
As mentioned above, the Clapotis is done, but not finished.
The jacket sleeves are untouched.
And, I realized that I have a couple of things on needles that I haven't admitted to. I have a half a lace-pattern cardigan half on and half off the needles. I made one many years ago that I wore until it could be worn no longer, but only got this one up to the armholes before putting it aside more than a year ago.
I have a lace scarf in the works that I started back when the boys were in 4th or 5th grade. It is one where you knit two halves and graft them in the middle. I've got one side done and then had problems with the second side so it sits in a bag now.
I have a green Lopi sweater that I made for Zeben but which was too tightly knit in the body (knit while watching regional swim meets two years ago) and too loosely knit in the yoke. I took the yoke out and need to re-knit it. I also have a Lopi sweater for myself that is up to the yoke, but laying dormant.
It seems to me there was another project I found the other day, but I can't even remember what it was, so you can tell it is quite abandoned.
I did take out all the socks I'd finished and sew in the ends and grafted the one toe I hadn't finished. I even wore a pair to work the other day!
Ah, new yarn calls me to start new projects like a siren -- maybe there is a silver lining to the busy start of the school year. It is easier to pick up and work on projects already in progress than to start a new one.
Saturday, September 8, 2007
Getting Back on Track
School and work are now fully in session and I'm starting to move with the rhythm and can feel the momentum moving me forward. There are seismic shifts taking place in my profession at this time and they are starting to have more impact on my personal work life -- a dear colleague at another institution who has been a friend and support for many years recently left his job rather suddenly. It is one of many changes happening in career planning offices, but one I didn't expect and just one more way that the landscape of my professional life is changing drastically.
Couple change and uncertainty with busy-ness that prevents my knitting or quilting or basketmaking, or even cleaning or tidying the house and cooking and you find me feeling very disconnected and tired. I slept like a rock last night (after finally getting a bit of time to knit while watching the beginning of the 2nd season of Hill Street Blues -- something my husband and I are working our way through together) and got up this morning to walk with Ready, Set, Knit on my iPod. I'm up to Show 20 and would love to get caught up to real time. And, I'm thinking that a trip to Webs in Northampton might be a good birthday present for me!
I'm liking the Knitting Daily newsletter. Today there was a link to a blog with photos demonstrating a technique for weaving the ends into your knitting as you go along -- fabulous! I'm actually someone who doesn't really mind weaving in the ends (call me crazy), but I will still really like getting to the end of a project and not having to do so many. Take a look at http://sockpr0n.blogspot.com/2006/10/how-to-weave-in-ends-while-knitting.html I'm not sure that link works, but go to http://www.knittingdaily.com/?ET=knittingdaily_blog:e766:77106a:&st=email for a link to the site and notes from A Delightful Chat with Mags Kandis (Part 1).
ON MY NEEDLES
I knit about 20 rows on the Clapotis Shawl last night but forgot to drop stitches on one side so will have to take those out today. At least they are shorter rows as I'm decreasing on each side. I may go get another yarn to do another one -- in another color. It would make a great gift.
Haven't touched the jacket -- maybe this weekend.
I started a feather and fan lace scarf before school started but haven't gotten very far. Maybe I could take that with me to the football game today if it isn't raining.
I made progress on Zeben's socks while camping but haven't touched them since.
Pretty pitiful, overall, what I've done and haven't done this week! No wonder my eyes are glazed over and I'm exhausted! I need my knitting lift! Knitting is what I need to get back on track with.
Couple change and uncertainty with busy-ness that prevents my knitting or quilting or basketmaking, or even cleaning or tidying the house and cooking and you find me feeling very disconnected and tired. I slept like a rock last night (after finally getting a bit of time to knit while watching the beginning of the 2nd season of Hill Street Blues -- something my husband and I are working our way through together) and got up this morning to walk with Ready, Set, Knit on my iPod. I'm up to Show 20 and would love to get caught up to real time. And, I'm thinking that a trip to Webs in Northampton might be a good birthday present for me!
I'm liking the Knitting Daily newsletter. Today there was a link to a blog with photos demonstrating a technique for weaving the ends into your knitting as you go along -- fabulous! I'm actually someone who doesn't really mind weaving in the ends (call me crazy), but I will still really like getting to the end of a project and not having to do so many. Take a look at http://sockpr0n.blogspot.com/2006/10/how-to-weave-in-ends-while-knitting.html I'm not sure that link works, but go to http://www.knittingdaily.com/?ET=knittingdaily_blog:e766:77106a:&st=email for a link to the site and notes from A Delightful Chat with Mags Kandis (Part 1).
ON MY NEEDLES
I knit about 20 rows on the Clapotis Shawl last night but forgot to drop stitches on one side so will have to take those out today. At least they are shorter rows as I'm decreasing on each side. I may go get another yarn to do another one -- in another color. It would make a great gift.
Haven't touched the jacket -- maybe this weekend.
I started a feather and fan lace scarf before school started but haven't gotten very far. Maybe I could take that with me to the football game today if it isn't raining.
I made progress on Zeben's socks while camping but haven't touched them since.
Pretty pitiful, overall, what I've done and haven't done this week! No wonder my eyes are glazed over and I'm exhausted! I need my knitting lift! Knitting is what I need to get back on track with.
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
In a Spin
Yep, it is officially the beginning of the school year. My head is in a whirl and the knitting that would calm and center me just doesn't fit in with the demands of work and family for a few days. Once work gets on an even keel (not just a cliche here -- the office is like a boat that gets upset when too many people step in at once and push off from the dock before everyone is settled into their seats. Several of us come back from having the summer off and all jump in at once and it just feels unsettled for a while).
I did get a chance to do some knitting over Labor Day weekend. I worked quite a bit on my Clapotis Shawl, and probably would have finished it but didn't bring the last skein with me so had to switch to working on my son's socks. We were camping with friends at Cobscook Bay State Park almost as far east as you can go in the U.S. In fact, we spent a day in Eastport, which really is as far east as you can go. We also spent a day on Campobello Island. This weekend or next has been a family tradition with another family for about 13 years. All four children (two sets of twins) are seniors in high school, so next year the parents will have to camp without the kids. This weekend comes at an extremely hectic time, but I'm always so glad we make time for it anyway as it feels like a small oasis in the midst of the beginning of school chaos. It is centering for me the way knitting is.
One night at Cobscook, I got up to go to the loo and stepped out of the tent into a world of light and magic. It was about midnight and the moon was just past being full. The light fell in an intricate pattern on the ground and the trees. As I walked along the camp road, it seemed as if the light radiated from the trees rather than shining on them. The light even created the illusion of diarama-like views into the woods. I felt very fortunate to have the chance to experience it.
ON MY NEEDLES
The Clapotis shawl is nearly finished. I'm kind of wishing I'd done it in another color. I think I've got to make myself choose colors besides purple/lavendar/periwinkle/etc. even though they are my favorite colors. I'd like to do another one and work on it more slowly -- as a secondary or third project rather than as the project I'm working on the hardest.
Zeben's socks are starting to go faster. I just got new #2 needles from Knit Picks, so not having to deal with that awful join is going to make them go even faster. Two more inches on the foot and I'll be at the heel already.
And, I haven't touched the jacket sleeves in over a week. I've really got to get those done before starting any other new projects.
IN THE WINGS
I've got yarn for another Vermont Bag -- a green tweedy wool from Knit Picks. I've also got two new sock yarns and want to try the pattern for semisolid dyed sock wool, even though these are plain colors. The pattern is beautiful and looks like fun anyway.
I got the Knitting Daily post today and was thrilled to see that they had posted the Modern Quilt Wrap pattern! I'm intrigued by several of the patterns in the new Folk Style book, but mostly want to make that wrap as it pulls together my love of quilting and my love of knitting in a highly portable project -- what could be better?
I did get a chance to do some knitting over Labor Day weekend. I worked quite a bit on my Clapotis Shawl, and probably would have finished it but didn't bring the last skein with me so had to switch to working on my son's socks. We were camping with friends at Cobscook Bay State Park almost as far east as you can go in the U.S. In fact, we spent a day in Eastport, which really is as far east as you can go. We also spent a day on Campobello Island. This weekend or next has been a family tradition with another family for about 13 years. All four children (two sets of twins) are seniors in high school, so next year the parents will have to camp without the kids. This weekend comes at an extremely hectic time, but I'm always so glad we make time for it anyway as it feels like a small oasis in the midst of the beginning of school chaos. It is centering for me the way knitting is.
One night at Cobscook, I got up to go to the loo and stepped out of the tent into a world of light and magic. It was about midnight and the moon was just past being full. The light fell in an intricate pattern on the ground and the trees. As I walked along the camp road, it seemed as if the light radiated from the trees rather than shining on them. The light even created the illusion of diarama-like views into the woods. I felt very fortunate to have the chance to experience it.
ON MY NEEDLES
The Clapotis shawl is nearly finished. I'm kind of wishing I'd done it in another color. I think I've got to make myself choose colors besides purple/lavendar/periwinkle/etc. even though they are my favorite colors. I'd like to do another one and work on it more slowly -- as a secondary or third project rather than as the project I'm working on the hardest.
Zeben's socks are starting to go faster. I just got new #2 needles from Knit Picks, so not having to deal with that awful join is going to make them go even faster. Two more inches on the foot and I'll be at the heel already.
And, I haven't touched the jacket sleeves in over a week. I've really got to get those done before starting any other new projects.
IN THE WINGS
I've got yarn for another Vermont Bag -- a green tweedy wool from Knit Picks. I've also got two new sock yarns and want to try the pattern for semisolid dyed sock wool, even though these are plain colors. The pattern is beautiful and looks like fun anyway.
I got the Knitting Daily post today and was thrilled to see that they had posted the Modern Quilt Wrap pattern! I'm intrigued by several of the patterns in the new Folk Style book, but mostly want to make that wrap as it pulls together my love of quilting and my love of knitting in a highly portable project -- what could be better?
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