Yesterday we got a last minute invitation to a barn concert at a friend's farm in Skowhegan. We were en route to UNH to visit our son (and take him a few necessary items, such as a sweatshirt, as it is starting to get cold in the evenings here in New England) when we got a call from DH's friend's wife -- apparently the invitation was to be delivered earlier in the week but Don's friend forgot. Any-who, we were planning to be back early anyway, so were able to get to the party right on time.
These friends live outside of Skowhegan on a dirt road. We wound our way along in the dark until we got to a field where everyone was directed to park. We then walked about 100 yards further down the road to the barn. There were torches burning around the barnyard and the barn doors were open, revealing the 3-person bluegrass band that was the evening's entertainment. The horses were in their stalls behind the band and seemed not to care that anything unusual was taking place.
A table had been set up for the pot-luck dinner/snacks that everyone brought. There was a fire burning in a fire-ring a bit further into the woods and people were setting up lawn chairs in front of the barn and by the fire. It was a thoroughly charming and warm group of people and such a cozy, neighborly setting. We even ran into someone we knew from home (about 20 miles away).
At various points through the evening people were inspired to dance. At the band's break, there was even a limbo going on, followed by the Twist. All we needed was someone to call a square dance, but no one 'fessed up to knowing how. DH and I danced a few times, chatted with old and new friends, and had a long discussion with an enthusiastic student of history and political science at UMaine (our hosts' son and daughter are both students at UMO and had brought friends)about medieval history and African politics.
When we finally decided to head home, we used moonlight to help us find our way back to the field where we had parked. What a lovely evening.
Also on the musical front, church choir has been back in practice the past two Thursdays and we sang at our first service of the season this morning. It really does make a difference in the mood of the service to have an enthusiastic choir. Our interim priest seems to be very appreciative too, which is nice.
Then, at coffee hour my friend brought a project she's been working on to show me. She is studying for the priesthood and has a friend from the seminary who is about to be ordained as a Congregational minister. She has been knitting her friend a stole and I've been able to watch the entire creative process unfold. She bought the yarn on one of our knitting boondoggles to Webs last spring. I've oohed and aahed over swatches and been consulted for some problem solving. It is nearly done and is quite beautiful. It was a lovely treat to look at and kept me from the calorie laden treat table on the other side of the room.
All of these things are tangible reminders of how very fortunate my family and I are in this life we lead. I feel nourished and renewed -- isn't that what a weekend should do?
ON MY NEEDLES
I got up early this morning and put a few rows in on my yoga mat bag -- I'm nearly to the the point of putting a bottom and then the strap on it.
Braids cardigan -- haven't touched it since the trip to take Nate to college.
Norwegian Woods Shawl. I'm doing this pattern again, but this time in cream wool and silk yarn and will do the larger size -- truly a shawl and not a scarf.
Mom's Shrug. I'm making a shrug for my mother from the same pattern I made one for my sister from. It has been a treat to go back to this pattern -- my hands remember it and it is going very smoothly. As a side benefit, I asked a friend at church if I could borrow her copy of the book the pattern came from as I wanted to re-photocopy the pattern and enlarge it (these eyes just don't work as well as they used to and I need to get my prescription updated). By the time she brought it to me, I'd already found another copy to look at, but she said she'd been given another copy and so was giving me her extra copy! Now I'm slobbering over a number of other lace projects -- all of which just have to wait until I get a few other things done.
WHAT I'M READING
Zeben gave me a book about the Mitford novels as an early birthday present and I'm working my way through that at night.
And, I downloaded the second Amelia Peabody mystery and we started listening to it on our way home from NH yesterday.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Saturday, September 6, 2008
All Gone, But Not Forgotten
Dropping son #2 at college was actually more difficult than we'd imagined -- especially for my husband. A few miles from campus he asked me how I felt. I replied, "sad," and he didn't say anything, but a few minutes later (I was driving) I looked over and he was raining tears. And we couldn't find any tissues.
We went and spent the night at my sister's house, and went to my parents' house for a barbecue the next day, so didn't get home to our empty house until Sunday night. We watched an episode of Northern Exposure (we're working our way through the quirky series we were avid fans of in the late 80's) and went to bed -- exhausted.
On Wednesday evening, I finally stepped into Nate's room and got the urge to start cleaning. Today, Saturday, I spent most of the morning in there -- throwing several bags of trash away. Both boys' rooms will be cleaned out by the time they come home again, though I doubt we'll get to do the painting and wallpapering that those rooms desperately need before they come home for fall or even winter break. But, I feel a sense of accomplishment, just being able to walk through the rooms without impediment.
I actually really love both the thought of being organized and the act of cleaning out rooms, closets, boxes, etc. For some reason, though, I'm not as good at keeping things organized once I've cleaned them. That is especially true of my knitting stuff. I haven't settled on a happy way to store needles, for example -- especially round needles and the bamboo flexi-needles that are so much gentler on my wrists. And, my yarn stash needs more space than I currently cram it into. My plans for cleaning out our house involve a kind of complex domino set up. Cleaning out the boys' rooms will give me room to overflow into as I clean out and organize other rooms. Besides yarn, I have lots of books to organize.
So, I'm thinking about my boys a lot as I sift through the detritis left behind in the rooms they've occupied nearly their entire lives so far. No surprises yet, just lots of trash and good memories.
ON MY NEEDLES
I started a shrug for my Mom, using the lace shrug pattern from A Gathering of Lace. I made one for my sister some time ago so I'm absolutely sure there are no mistakes in this pattern! I'm using a Knit Picks variegated yarn in blues that they no longer sell. I bought three batches of the yarn when it was on close-out and hope to make, eventually, a third one of these for myself at some point.
Pink socks are coming along. I've decided to ignore the pattern directions and use the heel I like from another pattern. I may have made them too small, but we'll see how they turn out.
Braids Cardigan -- I worked on it on the way to NH. Hopefully I'll have enough yarn to complete it and won't have to rip it out to make it shorter.
Other stuff -- I just downloaded the Knitting Daily pattern for Vivian Hoxbro's potholder and made a square out of some scrap yarn. I figured that the only way I'd understand the pattern would be to actually do it step by step. Fun!
Being back to work and the activity of the beginning of the school year makes for much less knitting time!
We went and spent the night at my sister's house, and went to my parents' house for a barbecue the next day, so didn't get home to our empty house until Sunday night. We watched an episode of Northern Exposure (we're working our way through the quirky series we were avid fans of in the late 80's) and went to bed -- exhausted.
On Wednesday evening, I finally stepped into Nate's room and got the urge to start cleaning. Today, Saturday, I spent most of the morning in there -- throwing several bags of trash away. Both boys' rooms will be cleaned out by the time they come home again, though I doubt we'll get to do the painting and wallpapering that those rooms desperately need before they come home for fall or even winter break. But, I feel a sense of accomplishment, just being able to walk through the rooms without impediment.
I actually really love both the thought of being organized and the act of cleaning out rooms, closets, boxes, etc. For some reason, though, I'm not as good at keeping things organized once I've cleaned them. That is especially true of my knitting stuff. I haven't settled on a happy way to store needles, for example -- especially round needles and the bamboo flexi-needles that are so much gentler on my wrists. And, my yarn stash needs more space than I currently cram it into. My plans for cleaning out our house involve a kind of complex domino set up. Cleaning out the boys' rooms will give me room to overflow into as I clean out and organize other rooms. Besides yarn, I have lots of books to organize.
So, I'm thinking about my boys a lot as I sift through the detritis left behind in the rooms they've occupied nearly their entire lives so far. No surprises yet, just lots of trash and good memories.
ON MY NEEDLES
I started a shrug for my Mom, using the lace shrug pattern from A Gathering of Lace. I made one for my sister some time ago so I'm absolutely sure there are no mistakes in this pattern! I'm using a Knit Picks variegated yarn in blues that they no longer sell. I bought three batches of the yarn when it was on close-out and hope to make, eventually, a third one of these for myself at some point.
Pink socks are coming along. I've decided to ignore the pattern directions and use the heel I like from another pattern. I may have made them too small, but we'll see how they turn out.
Braids Cardigan -- I worked on it on the way to NH. Hopefully I'll have enough yarn to complete it and won't have to rip it out to make it shorter.
Other stuff -- I just downloaded the Knitting Daily pattern for Vivian Hoxbro's potholder and made a square out of some scrap yarn. I figured that the only way I'd understand the pattern would be to actually do it step by step. Fun!
Being back to work and the activity of the beginning of the school year makes for much less knitting time!
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
One Down, One to Go
We dropped our eldest son (eldest by 1 hr 42 mins) at Allegheny College this past weekend. It turned out that there were more tears in the anticipatory period than in the actual experience, though none of the three of us were dry-eyed at the very last good-bye. But, none of us were sobbing either. All in all, we're all three very sure he is at the very best place he could be -- I'd love to work there or be a student there myself!
Our youngest son goes off to college (University of New Hampshire) this Saturday (thankfully they didn't have to go at the same time). This one is only going to be 2 hours away, while the first involved 13 hours of driving in each direction. I think our relief at getting through the first one is going to make this one a bit easier. Tonight at dinner he asked me if I cried a lot last weekend -- I asked if he was trying to figure out how much I might cry this weekend and he grinned at me. I assured him I had saved some tears for him.
I still remember the moment, just before Christmas one year when I was a young teenager, when I realized that, at least for me, the anticipation is usually greater than the realization for most experiences. I'm a big anticipater (anticipator?) -- I enjoy the planning ahead, the imagining of my experience, the looking forward to events, and just the sense of all of the possibilities that lie ahead. That is also reflected in my knitting. My stash is full of anticipated projects. The stash is out of hand when I revel in anticipation so much that it gets ahead of my ability to actually start or finish projects.
Of course, I managed to fit a side trip to Webs and Northampton (for lunch) into my trip -- we were going right by, after all! DH and son were happy to see the easy chairs in the front of the store and I kept my promise not to spend too much time drooling and buying but did manage to get Misti Alpaca Lace in heather green for my next Sivia Harding shawl.
ON MY NEEDLES
Well, the Pi Shawl was going great (now that I have the correct chart) on the trip out, but on Saturday night I lost control of one of the repeats, tried to drop that section down a row or two to get it back and it just didn't work. So, I frogged the whole section back to the safety line once again. I think I'm really just going to put it aside for a while and start another lace project to keep me going for a while.
I am almost up to the armholes for the Braids Cardigan, and am working on a pair of pink self-striping pair of socks. Those two projects will keep me happy for a while, I think.
WHAT I'M READING
OK, we're talking books on tape here -- I can't read in the car or I get sick, so with all the time I've been on the road, I'm not getting much reading time. I downloaded an Amelia Peabody mystery for the trip. We all enjoyed it immensely and it made the travel much more enjoyable. While it was a mystery, we mostly enjoyed the British humor in it and very much enjoyed the reader. I'm going to download the next one tonight.
Our youngest son goes off to college (University of New Hampshire) this Saturday (thankfully they didn't have to go at the same time). This one is only going to be 2 hours away, while the first involved 13 hours of driving in each direction. I think our relief at getting through the first one is going to make this one a bit easier. Tonight at dinner he asked me if I cried a lot last weekend -- I asked if he was trying to figure out how much I might cry this weekend and he grinned at me. I assured him I had saved some tears for him.
I still remember the moment, just before Christmas one year when I was a young teenager, when I realized that, at least for me, the anticipation is usually greater than the realization for most experiences. I'm a big anticipater (anticipator?) -- I enjoy the planning ahead, the imagining of my experience, the looking forward to events, and just the sense of all of the possibilities that lie ahead. That is also reflected in my knitting. My stash is full of anticipated projects. The stash is out of hand when I revel in anticipation so much that it gets ahead of my ability to actually start or finish projects.
Of course, I managed to fit a side trip to Webs and Northampton (for lunch) into my trip -- we were going right by, after all! DH and son were happy to see the easy chairs in the front of the store and I kept my promise not to spend too much time drooling and buying but did manage to get Misti Alpaca Lace in heather green for my next Sivia Harding shawl.
ON MY NEEDLES
Well, the Pi Shawl was going great (now that I have the correct chart) on the trip out, but on Saturday night I lost control of one of the repeats, tried to drop that section down a row or two to get it back and it just didn't work. So, I frogged the whole section back to the safety line once again. I think I'm really just going to put it aside for a while and start another lace project to keep me going for a while.
I am almost up to the armholes for the Braids Cardigan, and am working on a pair of pink self-striping pair of socks. Those two projects will keep me happy for a while, I think.
WHAT I'M READING
OK, we're talking books on tape here -- I can't read in the car or I get sick, so with all the time I've been on the road, I'm not getting much reading time. I downloaded an Amelia Peabody mystery for the trip. We all enjoyed it immensely and it made the travel much more enjoyable. While it was a mystery, we mostly enjoyed the British humor in it and very much enjoyed the reader. I'm going to download the next one tonight.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Errata
I frogged my Shetland Tea Shawl back to the safety line. I'd put off the frogging for weeks, keeping the shawl in "time out," as some knitters like to say, but just taking out the knitting that was obviously not working felt good and I started back in on the shawl instead of putting it aside for a while as I'd planned.
Well, twelve rows into the Diamon Madeira chart, it became apparent that the problem had NOT been with me. I wasn't inattentive or unskilled when I worked on this the first time. How do I know? My very attentive and careful second knitting has given me the same misshapen diamonds I got the first time!
Hmmm, I thought, what am I doing wrong? Hmmm, I thought, maybe there is something wrong with the way I'm reading the chart. Hmmm, I thought, maybe there is something wrong with the chart!
I've just gone online and downloaded the "errata" for the book the pattern is in. Yep, not only is there a note about moving the pattern over one stitch on 8 of the 36 rows -- the chart is completely different!!!!! No wonder 1) the pattern didn't look anything like the one in the photograph and 2) I couldn't even get the pattern straight.
Wouldn't it be nice if life offered you a chance to publish your own errata periodically? As I transition into a different phase of parenting, I worry that I have missed something in preparing my sons for the "real world." As they stumble through the pains of becoming an adult, I wish I could have given them something that would make it easier -- even though they make it abundantly clear that they need and want to make their own mistakes and not direct their lives completely on my and my husband's pontifications about our own discoveries of how things should work or be done.
Could I please go back and re-do the parenting experience and get it right the way I'm going to pull out that Diamond Madeira pattern one more time and strive for perfection? No. Maybe that is why I find knitting so comforting in a family and work life that doesn't allow do-overs. Knitting comes with a chart to follow -- you know what the result will look like if you just follow the pattern. Well, most of the time you do. But if it isn't working, take my advice and don't assume you are the problem -- look for the errata.
ON MY NEEDLES
Yep, that green Shetland Tea Shawl is still on the needles. I'll try to go back to the safety line one more time so I can knit in the car on our way to PA this week.
Some progress on the pink socks.
No progress on the braids cardigan.
Plans to get back to the Sunset Circle Jacket and the Tilted Duster.
OFF MY NEEDLES
The Baby Poonan. I just need to sew on the buttons. And, I just learned about a former student who is pregnant, so I need to cast on another baby sweater right away.
Well, twelve rows into the Diamon Madeira chart, it became apparent that the problem had NOT been with me. I wasn't inattentive or unskilled when I worked on this the first time. How do I know? My very attentive and careful second knitting has given me the same misshapen diamonds I got the first time!
Hmmm, I thought, what am I doing wrong? Hmmm, I thought, maybe there is something wrong with the way I'm reading the chart. Hmmm, I thought, maybe there is something wrong with the chart!
I've just gone online and downloaded the "errata" for the book the pattern is in. Yep, not only is there a note about moving the pattern over one stitch on 8 of the 36 rows -- the chart is completely different!!!!! No wonder 1) the pattern didn't look anything like the one in the photograph and 2) I couldn't even get the pattern straight.
Wouldn't it be nice if life offered you a chance to publish your own errata periodically? As I transition into a different phase of parenting, I worry that I have missed something in preparing my sons for the "real world." As they stumble through the pains of becoming an adult, I wish I could have given them something that would make it easier -- even though they make it abundantly clear that they need and want to make their own mistakes and not direct their lives completely on my and my husband's pontifications about our own discoveries of how things should work or be done.
Could I please go back and re-do the parenting experience and get it right the way I'm going to pull out that Diamond Madeira pattern one more time and strive for perfection? No. Maybe that is why I find knitting so comforting in a family and work life that doesn't allow do-overs. Knitting comes with a chart to follow -- you know what the result will look like if you just follow the pattern. Well, most of the time you do. But if it isn't working, take my advice and don't assume you are the problem -- look for the errata.
ON MY NEEDLES
Yep, that green Shetland Tea Shawl is still on the needles. I'll try to go back to the safety line one more time so I can knit in the car on our way to PA this week.
Some progress on the pink socks.
No progress on the braids cardigan.
Plans to get back to the Sunset Circle Jacket and the Tilted Duster.
OFF MY NEEDLES
The Baby Poonan. I just need to sew on the buttons. And, I just learned about a former student who is pregnant, so I need to cast on another baby sweater right away.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
A Project Finished - Nearly
After stopping and starting this project several times over the past few months, it is done! I've finished wallpapering the room we call "the fireplace room" -- basically a sitting room, but not our "living room," even though I spend more time in this room than just about any other. I was very definitely stalled until my sister came to visit a couple of weeks ago and helped me get it going again. She helped me get through the most difficult wall of the room and to a place where I could manage the rest of the project completely on my own. I put the last tiny piece (at the corner of the triangle wall below the stairs) in place this morning -- hurrah!
This last section of wall looked like it would be a piece of cake to do, but when I looked more closely, I decided I should remove the old wallpaper or the new would actually stick out further than the edges of the wood trim. Once I got going on that, I realized that there were 7 or 8 layers of wallpaper on this wall!! Of course, most of the top 5 layers came off easily, but those last two layers involved spraying with water and patiently scraping section by section. Then a bit of sanding, and a layer of wallpaper primer, and, finally, new wallpaper.
Now I need to paint the bricks around the fireplace -- they are bright white and need to be toned down a bit with the creamy Cottage White we are slowly using throughout the house on trim as we replace the trim around windows, etc. And, I've painted the window trim, but not the windows themselves, so should get to that soon. And, I'll have to think about what we'll have on the walls. So, I'm nearly done, but it feels great!
Here's a photo of wallpaper and my knitting corner (all cleaned up for the moment).
ON MY NEEDLES
And, between bouts of scraping, I got one sleeve of the Poonan Baby Sweater done and am about 1/3 through the second. My hands are a bit achy from scraping, and from going bowling after scraping all day, but it doesn't seem to slow my knitting down.
PODCASTS
Working my way through Pointy Sticks (up to #6)and Cast On (up to #9). I'm up to the present with Knit Picks, Ready,Set,Knit, and Stash and Burn. I had my ipod on my little speaker thing that I found at Marden's for $5 a couple of years ago and so Don has been hearing some of these podcasts while I was wallpapering. He enjoyed the music but I think was a bit surprised to hear that knitting is a subversive social activity.
This last section of wall looked like it would be a piece of cake to do, but when I looked more closely, I decided I should remove the old wallpaper or the new would actually stick out further than the edges of the wood trim. Once I got going on that, I realized that there were 7 or 8 layers of wallpaper on this wall!! Of course, most of the top 5 layers came off easily, but those last two layers involved spraying with water and patiently scraping section by section. Then a bit of sanding, and a layer of wallpaper primer, and, finally, new wallpaper.
Now I need to paint the bricks around the fireplace -- they are bright white and need to be toned down a bit with the creamy Cottage White we are slowly using throughout the house on trim as we replace the trim around windows, etc. And, I've painted the window trim, but not the windows themselves, so should get to that soon. And, I'll have to think about what we'll have on the walls. So, I'm nearly done, but it feels great!
Here's a photo of wallpaper and my knitting corner (all cleaned up for the moment).
ON MY NEEDLES
And, between bouts of scraping, I got one sleeve of the Poonan Baby Sweater done and am about 1/3 through the second. My hands are a bit achy from scraping, and from going bowling after scraping all day, but it doesn't seem to slow my knitting down.
PODCASTS
Working my way through Pointy Sticks (up to #6)and Cast On (up to #9). I'm up to the present with Knit Picks, Ready,Set,Knit, and Stash and Burn. I had my ipod on my little speaker thing that I found at Marden's for $5 a couple of years ago and so Don has been hearing some of these podcasts while I was wallpapering. He enjoyed the music but I think was a bit surprised to hear that knitting is a subversive social activity.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Damp Season
I'm borrowing a phrase from our Bishop who is retiring in another month. In the spring I, along with many other members of our parish choir, sang at an Evensong that began Bishop Chilton's retirement activities. In her remarks, she described it as the beginning of her "damp season."
Last May/June was an exceedingly damp season for me. All of the whirlwind of my twin sons' graduation activities was punctuated by tearful moments --some of which caught me by surprise. Tears would just sneak up on me at odd moments. Of course, it didn't help that I was quite exhausted from the academic year which was full of uncertainties and ups and downs that took a lot of energy. But, I'm not much of a cryer and not given to dramatics so I appreciated Bishop Chilton's description.
I'm heading into another damp season. I've been caught tearing up a couple of times and had an out and out sob or two this morning when I pulled the "Back to School" circular out of the newspaper. I realized this morning that I'm no longer a "mommy." Not that I've really been mommy for a long time -- my sons are, after all, 19 years old and have been taller than me for several years now. I guess I just hadn't thought about it that way.
I still, however, fill the mommy role when needed. When one son was having a damp night, parting ways with one of his best friends who is going to college in Oklahoma and won't be home until Christmas, I found myself administering hugs, going out for ice cream, and making to-do/to-buy lists with him even though what I really wanted to do was go to bed. Every mommy knows that after dark is when the emotions come out with teenagers!
We head for western Pennsylvania next Thursday with Zeben. We'll visit with friends along the way, which we're all looking forward to. I'm sure the trip home will be exceedingly damp -- Don will have to drive the first leg. But, to make the whole thing better, I'm planning a side trip to Northampton, MA to have lunch and stop in at Webs (though I haven't mentioned this to husband or son yet). Maybe we can stop there both on the way out and on the way home! I'm also starting my packing list and heading it up is my knitting. I'll need a project I don't have to give a lot of thought to as well as a project that will focus my attention. Not a problem -- I've got plenty to choose from!
My other son's drop off to college comes a week later and is just a couple of hours away. He's rooming with a friend from home, so there isn't the anxiety of trying to get there first to choose the best bunk (as they always wanted to do when going to camp). I'm already scoping out yarn stores in the UNH area, though.
ON MY NEEDLES
I started to frog the Pi Shawl, but realized that I had a safety line in place between the section I was having trouble with and the previous section. So, instead of frogging completely, I went back to the safety line and have started the problem section over. I'm just going to take my time and not try to rush the section as I had been doing. Each row has 574 stitches and 41 repeats of the 14-stitch pattern. I am trying to get 1/3 or 1/2 a row done each day, at which rate it will take a minimum of 72 days to get through. This, however, will be a good car project when I need to have something to pay attention to. It isn't a very appealing project on the needles -- like all lace knitting, it is bumpy and lumpy and hard to imagine as a lovely, lacy garment.
I re-started the Braids Cardigan, deciding to make the longer version instead of the shorter version. This is a project which doesn't take a lot of attention all of the time. I'll need to pay attention briefly when I reach the armholes and when I do the neck and button bands or pick up the stitches for the sleeves. But, the knitting is very straightforward.
I've got a pair of socks going -- the Uptown Boot Socks from the Favorite Socks collection. I'm using a Regia self-striping yarn in pink, fuschia, orange, red, and grey. Sounds garish, but actually is quite nice. I think I like the fact that I started the top with the fuschia. Starting it with the red would have given it a whole different feel.
The front and back of the Poonan Baby Sweater is done and I've started on the first sleeve. You pick up the stitches from the body and knit to the wrist, so when the sleeves are done, all that will be left is to sew the side seams. I spent some time this morning weaving in ends so that I don't have to deal with them when I finish the sleeves. The pattern has a few oddities I don't love, so I have a feeling I won't make this one again, but it will certainly make a good baby gift.
And, I'm still working slowly on my yoga mat bag. I may take that one our trip too. I'd love to have it done for the beginning of yoga classes on campus after Labor Day.
OFF MY NEEDLES
I've finished and blocked the Swallowtail Shawl. The points didn't come out on the edges, though. Either I bound off too tightly or I didn't pull on it enough when blocking. A friend blocked hers (same yarn, different color) and the points were great. I may have to re-block it, though it is quite pretty as is.
WHAT I'M READING
I succumbed to temptation and bought several books through the Interweave Hurt Books Sale. They are all in wonderful shape, so I'm not sure how they came to be in the sale. I'm intrigued by Vivian Hoxbro's Shadow Knitting. I've been working my way slowly through In Sheep's Clothing: A Handspinner's Guide to Wool which describes the qualities of wool by sheep breed. I'll feel ever so much more knowledgeable when I go to the Common Ground Fair this fall! I haven't yet looked closely at the Twisted Sisters Knit Sweaters book and the other two books I got were reference books on finishing techniques and crochet (not being much of a crocheter, I always have to relearn it when I need it). Too bad I can't read in the car -- I'll just have to knit!
PODCAST UPDATE
I've found a couple of new podcasts to listen to. The latest is Pointy Sticks. As usual, I'm starting from the beginning and am only up to #5, which is from April of 2006, I believe. She has the best music I've heard on any knitting podcast, including one song in the first show about Ikea, which I can't wait to play for my sisters!
Last May/June was an exceedingly damp season for me. All of the whirlwind of my twin sons' graduation activities was punctuated by tearful moments --some of which caught me by surprise. Tears would just sneak up on me at odd moments. Of course, it didn't help that I was quite exhausted from the academic year which was full of uncertainties and ups and downs that took a lot of energy. But, I'm not much of a cryer and not given to dramatics so I appreciated Bishop Chilton's description.
I'm heading into another damp season. I've been caught tearing up a couple of times and had an out and out sob or two this morning when I pulled the "Back to School" circular out of the newspaper. I realized this morning that I'm no longer a "mommy." Not that I've really been mommy for a long time -- my sons are, after all, 19 years old and have been taller than me for several years now. I guess I just hadn't thought about it that way.
I still, however, fill the mommy role when needed. When one son was having a damp night, parting ways with one of his best friends who is going to college in Oklahoma and won't be home until Christmas, I found myself administering hugs, going out for ice cream, and making to-do/to-buy lists with him even though what I really wanted to do was go to bed. Every mommy knows that after dark is when the emotions come out with teenagers!
We head for western Pennsylvania next Thursday with Zeben. We'll visit with friends along the way, which we're all looking forward to. I'm sure the trip home will be exceedingly damp -- Don will have to drive the first leg. But, to make the whole thing better, I'm planning a side trip to Northampton, MA to have lunch and stop in at Webs (though I haven't mentioned this to husband or son yet). Maybe we can stop there both on the way out and on the way home! I'm also starting my packing list and heading it up is my knitting. I'll need a project I don't have to give a lot of thought to as well as a project that will focus my attention. Not a problem -- I've got plenty to choose from!
My other son's drop off to college comes a week later and is just a couple of hours away. He's rooming with a friend from home, so there isn't the anxiety of trying to get there first to choose the best bunk (as they always wanted to do when going to camp). I'm already scoping out yarn stores in the UNH area, though.
ON MY NEEDLES
I started to frog the Pi Shawl, but realized that I had a safety line in place between the section I was having trouble with and the previous section. So, instead of frogging completely, I went back to the safety line and have started the problem section over. I'm just going to take my time and not try to rush the section as I had been doing. Each row has 574 stitches and 41 repeats of the 14-stitch pattern. I am trying to get 1/3 or 1/2 a row done each day, at which rate it will take a minimum of 72 days to get through. This, however, will be a good car project when I need to have something to pay attention to. It isn't a very appealing project on the needles -- like all lace knitting, it is bumpy and lumpy and hard to imagine as a lovely, lacy garment.
I re-started the Braids Cardigan, deciding to make the longer version instead of the shorter version. This is a project which doesn't take a lot of attention all of the time. I'll need to pay attention briefly when I reach the armholes and when I do the neck and button bands or pick up the stitches for the sleeves. But, the knitting is very straightforward.
I've got a pair of socks going -- the Uptown Boot Socks from the Favorite Socks collection. I'm using a Regia self-striping yarn in pink, fuschia, orange, red, and grey. Sounds garish, but actually is quite nice. I think I like the fact that I started the top with the fuschia. Starting it with the red would have given it a whole different feel.
The front and back of the Poonan Baby Sweater is done and I've started on the first sleeve. You pick up the stitches from the body and knit to the wrist, so when the sleeves are done, all that will be left is to sew the side seams. I spent some time this morning weaving in ends so that I don't have to deal with them when I finish the sleeves. The pattern has a few oddities I don't love, so I have a feeling I won't make this one again, but it will certainly make a good baby gift.
And, I'm still working slowly on my yoga mat bag. I may take that one our trip too. I'd love to have it done for the beginning of yoga classes on campus after Labor Day.
OFF MY NEEDLES
I've finished and blocked the Swallowtail Shawl. The points didn't come out on the edges, though. Either I bound off too tightly or I didn't pull on it enough when blocking. A friend blocked hers (same yarn, different color) and the points were great. I may have to re-block it, though it is quite pretty as is.
WHAT I'M READING
I succumbed to temptation and bought several books through the Interweave Hurt Books Sale. They are all in wonderful shape, so I'm not sure how they came to be in the sale. I'm intrigued by Vivian Hoxbro's Shadow Knitting. I've been working my way slowly through In Sheep's Clothing: A Handspinner's Guide to Wool which describes the qualities of wool by sheep breed. I'll feel ever so much more knowledgeable when I go to the Common Ground Fair this fall! I haven't yet looked closely at the Twisted Sisters Knit Sweaters book and the other two books I got were reference books on finishing techniques and crochet (not being much of a crocheter, I always have to relearn it when I need it). Too bad I can't read in the car -- I'll just have to knit!
PODCAST UPDATE
I've found a couple of new podcasts to listen to. The latest is Pointy Sticks. As usual, I'm starting from the beginning and am only up to #5, which is from April of 2006, I believe. She has the best music I've heard on any knitting podcast, including one song in the first show about Ikea, which I can't wait to play for my sisters!
Monday, July 28, 2008
Distractions
I held out until just about the last minute, but ended up signing up for a class at the annual state quilt show. The quilt show has, for many years now, been my own personal mini-vacation. It lasts three days and offers a plethora of opportunities to take classes, attend lectures, view beautiful quilts, and spend money at enticing vendor booths. And, it takes place only 21 miles from my home, so I don't have to go to the expense or bother of staying in a hotel.
In past years, I've gone a bit over the top and taken three day-long classes in three days. Last year I only did two, which gave me a full day of viewing and shopping, and that was really quite nice. When the class list came out in February, I was in the midst of planning the Knitting Boondoggle to Webs in May, and reserving my spending money for yarn, so I didn't sign up for any classes at all. As the show neared, I was trying very hard to imagine only going for one day as a viewer, but took a few minutes to look at the class list site and, of course, found a class with openings that looked like it needed me to take it.
I'm glad I did. It wasn't rocket science, but got me to dig out my sewing room a bit (including starting to organize my yarn stash which was creeping out into the center of the room)and clear off my cutting table. Spending a day sewing bits of fabric together has renewed my interest in returning to a couple of projects I haven't touched since last summer -- such as the Star Quilt for my sister.
So, I can see that I'm going to be distracted from my knitting for a while. But, the knitting can travel with me, and even though I won't be attending as many sports events as an empty-nester, there will still be some since I'm married to a teacher. And, I can knit and watch movies with DH.
Add to this that when I offered to knit something for my mother, she said she'd rather have a quilt! I didn't see that one coming. I was sure the woman who knit many a sweater for many other people would love to have something beautiful knit for her. But, truth be told, I've thought about making a quilt for her for some time, but wasn't sure she'd want one. Now I know. Now it is out in the open and I can have her input on size, color, etc.
Now to work on the problem of finishing projects!
OFF MY NEEDLES
Two Baby Surprise Sweaters are done and buttoned and ready to give as gifts at a family reunion this weekend. Hopefully they'll fit the intended recipients!
ON MY NEEDLES
I've finished the back and am more than half-way up the front of the Poonan Baby Sweater from Berroco, using Berroco's Comfort DK -- the DK weight version of the yarn I used for the Baby Surprise Sweaters. This baby is due in December and since the parents like the color red, and it will be a Christmas month baby, I'm using a lovely dark red color. Hopefully you can see the cable pattern in this photo:
I need to get back to the last section of the Swallowtail Shawl. Those "nupps" involving "knit 5 together" require concentration and being in a particular place. I can only do them on the arm of my knitting love seat (pictured below -- half the couch is mine, half belongs to the cats -- in the winter you'll often find all three of us together here, but not in the heat of summer). Maybe I'll make time for it this week.
I need to frog the Pi Shawl and get it off my needles before it sinks to the very bottom of my knitting project basket. I'll find another project for that yarn sometime, but this isn't it.
And, I'm making another Baby Surprise Sweater, using some red and cream yarn that was in the big yarn purchase my mother-in-law and I made. There's some pink too, so I'll try to spread the cream out between two sweaters and then I'll have a couple of baby sweaters "in reserve." It is such a great project to take along as it is just garter stitch, requiring only a bit of attention every other row to add or decrease a couple of stitches.
WHAT I'M READING
Not much, really. Except I'm still working my way through Eat, Pray, Love on tape. I didn't really like this book until I got at least half-way through it. Now I'm liking it enough to want to finish it. I've got an Amelia Peabody mystery waiting in the wings and am now thinking that it might be good to save for the drive to PA we'll be taking to drop Zeben off at college (13 hours drive each direction).
In past years, I've gone a bit over the top and taken three day-long classes in three days. Last year I only did two, which gave me a full day of viewing and shopping, and that was really quite nice. When the class list came out in February, I was in the midst of planning the Knitting Boondoggle to Webs in May, and reserving my spending money for yarn, so I didn't sign up for any classes at all. As the show neared, I was trying very hard to imagine only going for one day as a viewer, but took a few minutes to look at the class list site and, of course, found a class with openings that looked like it needed me to take it.
I'm glad I did. It wasn't rocket science, but got me to dig out my sewing room a bit (including starting to organize my yarn stash which was creeping out into the center of the room)and clear off my cutting table. Spending a day sewing bits of fabric together has renewed my interest in returning to a couple of projects I haven't touched since last summer -- such as the Star Quilt for my sister.
So, I can see that I'm going to be distracted from my knitting for a while. But, the knitting can travel with me, and even though I won't be attending as many sports events as an empty-nester, there will still be some since I'm married to a teacher. And, I can knit and watch movies with DH.
Add to this that when I offered to knit something for my mother, she said she'd rather have a quilt! I didn't see that one coming. I was sure the woman who knit many a sweater for many other people would love to have something beautiful knit for her. But, truth be told, I've thought about making a quilt for her for some time, but wasn't sure she'd want one. Now I know. Now it is out in the open and I can have her input on size, color, etc.
Now to work on the problem of finishing projects!
OFF MY NEEDLES
Two Baby Surprise Sweaters are done and buttoned and ready to give as gifts at a family reunion this weekend. Hopefully they'll fit the intended recipients!
ON MY NEEDLES
I've finished the back and am more than half-way up the front of the Poonan Baby Sweater from Berroco, using Berroco's Comfort DK -- the DK weight version of the yarn I used for the Baby Surprise Sweaters. This baby is due in December and since the parents like the color red, and it will be a Christmas month baby, I'm using a lovely dark red color. Hopefully you can see the cable pattern in this photo:
I need to get back to the last section of the Swallowtail Shawl. Those "nupps" involving "knit 5 together" require concentration and being in a particular place. I can only do them on the arm of my knitting love seat (pictured below -- half the couch is mine, half belongs to the cats -- in the winter you'll often find all three of us together here, but not in the heat of summer). Maybe I'll make time for it this week.
I need to frog the Pi Shawl and get it off my needles before it sinks to the very bottom of my knitting project basket. I'll find another project for that yarn sometime, but this isn't it.
And, I'm making another Baby Surprise Sweater, using some red and cream yarn that was in the big yarn purchase my mother-in-law and I made. There's some pink too, so I'll try to spread the cream out between two sweaters and then I'll have a couple of baby sweaters "in reserve." It is such a great project to take along as it is just garter stitch, requiring only a bit of attention every other row to add or decrease a couple of stitches.
WHAT I'M READING
Not much, really. Except I'm still working my way through Eat, Pray, Love on tape. I didn't really like this book until I got at least half-way through it. Now I'm liking it enough to want to finish it. I've got an Amelia Peabody mystery waiting in the wings and am now thinking that it might be good to save for the drive to PA we'll be taking to drop Zeben off at college (13 hours drive each direction).
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