Two Black Sheep

Comfortably Numb

There is nothing better than the feeling that a project has been completed. Okay, maybe scoring that perfect yarn at a 50% off discount or being told by the manufacturer that you are their best customer and all of your purchases will now be free might top it, but finishing a project is tops in my book . . . probably because I do it so infrequently during the school year. That, my dear Lola, is quickly coming to an end. We have about 20 actual school days left and when you take out half days, field trips, awards assemblies, and the like, it is down to about 15 teaching days left. Goodbye current crop of really good students, hello yarn!

This week was very productive in a way that hasn't been for so, so very long. I finished the Chevron (more this week after it blocks) and last weekend, I finished Shedir. It really should have dawned on my before yesterday that Shedir translates to breast in some language. It took one of my favorite episodes of Coupling to do it. Coupling is one of the strongest and funniest ensemble shows ever written. If I were to say, "Lesbian Spank Inferno," how many of you would know what I was talking about? Seriously, rent the DVDs, find it on BBC America, whatever - just watch this show.

Oh, I was talking about knitting, not a funny show from England. Shedir was a dream to knit. Thank you again, Lola, for the cableless directions. It would not have been fun with a cable needle. As for the yarn, I cannot say enough positive things about Calmer. Do you hear that nice people at Rowan? I love this yarn . . . send some freebies my way. Next up in Calmer is this "hug-me-tight" in chocolate. When I knit this pattern again for myself (Veronica has claimed it for football games . . . it's a losing battle), I think I may decrease a round of repeats as it was really long. For my sister-in-law, I'll keep all the repeats. Thanks to the Flyer for the photo; he was trying to capture the mischievous glint in my eye.

Lola and I went on a Socks That Rock buying binge this week. Okay, she only bought one skein, I bought three. Guess which one is hers . . . go on, guess. I am planning on using Undertoe for my sock pal because I know that she is a member of the Rockin' Sock Club and I like the colorway. Now, the dilemma - do I go with plan A and make the Queen of Cups socks for her or plan B in which I make up something totally unique? I just don't know. Plan A was the original choice because I thought she might like the tarot connection (based upon her website), but I am so used to doing toe-up and magic loop right now that I don't know if I can go back to the "other" way. Any suggestions?

Since it is Mother's Day, and a very happy one to two of our favorite new ones, I thought we would give you a little info on our dear mother.
- she was a stay-at-home mom for most of our lives and it was a good thing
- she always told us that boys were a bother and why worry about them
- she chastised us for punching each other in the boob because it would lead to breast cancer
- she made us play with one another whether we wanted to or not
- she says she doesn't have favorites (note the title of the blog)
- she sews like nobody's business and always made sure we had the latest "designer" clothes
- she knows how to knit, but likes it better when we make stuff for her
- she made all three of her daughters' wedding dresses for less than $50 each
- she falls asleep 30 minutes into any drive (so she calls when she has to drive so she stays awake)
- she doesn't like British films because they aren't speaking English
- she would do just about anything for her kids and grandkids
- she doesn't know about this blog

So, on your list of things to do this week: watch Coupling, guess which STR skein is Lola's, and help me make a decision on plan A or plan B for my sock pal's socks. Enjoy the weekend - it's lovely here in the Poconos!

Ava

McFearless

I will definitely give the PGR tutorial a looking over after class and Spiderman 3 this evening. Right now, I think that the "Fucked Up Socks" - at least that's what I am calling them - will get the full on toe-up treatment. Honestly, I have tried just about every method I can think of with them and nothing is working. I tried the PGR directions and got a rectangle. No good. I attempted to do the toe from the latest Rockin' Sock Club. No dice (didn't have time to comletely read the direction). I did the Cat Bordi square toe from the Knitty Gritty episode. No way. You can see them below in all their fugged glory and snicker all you like. Come on, people. You have to have had at least one project go awry. So, what was it? Confession is good for the soul. Get it off your chest and leave it in the comments. Besides, you'll make Lola feel better when she begins talking crazy that all knit bloggers are perfect knitters.

The small package that I ordered from England came yesterday and I am so pissed that I had class last night and today. I could have finished Shedir; I should have focused on the Chevron; I would have cast on the hug me tight with the chocolate Calmer. Could've, should've, would've. Notice, no where in there did you see the words "Grace" or "Doctor's Bag" or "Embossed Leaves" yet they still remain on my needles. Why is that? Why do I get bored with the knits that I have? Truly, I have no answer, but I must get a crackin' on at least Grace and the socks. After all, the Bro is walking for graduation in a few weeks, and I would like to give Beaner her sweater. Given the other sister's response to yours, Lola, I might only get to see it on her in the flesh.

I love The Knitting Answer Book these days. Sure, I have other helpful books, but this one seems to be filled with the most help. Sometimes I have to search a bit to find what I am looking for (different grafts and bind-offs) but it has been helpful as of late, so much so that it doesn't go back on the shelf with the others. There has been much talk about the latest IK and I have to say that I don't really find it that interesting. However, I am in love with the cover sweater (the yoke is too wide for me though . . . seriously, not putting on a damn strapless bra to wear a sweater) and I love the lace blouse - not to be confused with 1824 Blouson. What the hell were they thinking? Betty loves the blouson number, but she is 16 and can probably pull off that look with panache. Me? I am 37 and would look like an elephant in it. Of course I love the Veronik Avery socks, but she and I have a checkered past . . . one that I am not quick to repeat. I leave you with the latest cake of yarn from the Rockin' Sock Club and a cake of Knit Picks Shadow. The STR is obviously destined for socks, but the Shadow is heading for Sarcelle sometime soon. Oh, to my sock pal, I love you . . . in a completely sisterly way . . . your emails have cracked me up.

Ava PS - Did I say I would leave you with that photo? I lied. My brother-in-law sent me a link for a perfect dog present. Clearly this enters the "what the fuck" category in my book. Enjoy!

Red, Red Wine

This post, Lola, is brought to you by the color red. That's right . . . I am claiming the color red. Not because I like it any better than the other colors of the spectrum but because I am seeing red for a number of reasons. I'll explain.

Betty and Veronica turned 16 a few weeks back and so far - touch wood - it has been fairly smooth sailing. One of their birthday presents, in fact there only real present, is a school trip to Germany in late June. However, not wanting them to wait overly long for a "gift," the Flyer saw that The Killers were coming to our area on the 27th. We bought tickets for all four of us to attend as the Flyer listens to them as much on the iPod at Pearl Jam; needless to say, we were all looking forward to a fun weekend: rocking concert, overnight in Philly at the Doubletree, a quick spin through Loop in the morning, followed by a quick run through King of Prussia Mall, and then home. It would seem that Mr. Murphy had other plans and took a great big 'ol bite out of my ass. The Flyer suffered a weather condition and was delayed - severely - on the return from Savanah/Atlanta. In the end, the girls asked their friend Q to go along (it was her first concert, by the way), we didn't stay over, there was no trip to Loop, and we went shopping at the Lehigh Valley Mall on Saturday. The opening band, The Red Romance, was good, but their t-shirts were better. Love the kistchy '60s femme fatale on the front!

I took a sock along for the shopping trip since the girls know that as long as I am occupied, they can try on clothes to their hearts content (did you know that they say we are no fun to shop with, Lola? The horror!). I made about three inches worth of progress on the Cat Bordhi inspired "creation" and, based upon the comments that I received, I am either a) a daft, old biddy or b) the smartest woman on the planet. Not surprisingly, the smart comments came from exasperated men. The girls and I learned several things on this shopping trip: just because you can wear a certain size, doesn't mean that you should; eye liner looks best when not encircling the entire eye lid; white pants should always be lined and never worn with a belly shirt; and if your child is old enough to talk whilst balancing the pacifier in her mouth and pretending to be asleep so she doesn't have to answer you, you might want to take it away.

After shopping, all I wanted to do was finish Shedir. What's that they say about the best laid plans, Mr. Murphy? You say you want to know if the other cheek is just as sour? If you look very, very closely at the row counter, you will see it says "59." If you've knit Shedir before, and I know you have, Lola, you will know it ends on row 83. I have run out of yarn. Plum fucking out of yarn. I searched on the Internet (no one stocks it near me) only to find that the cheapest prices by far - including shipping - come from a lady on eBay based out of England. So, I did the only thing I could think of doing; I ordered one ball of Rowan Calmer in garnet and eight balls in coffee bean. The cutest damn pattern in the Stitch 'n Bitch calendar was Friday's offering and it used Calmer.

Ava

PS - I fear that spring has brought on a case of Knitting ADD as I can't stay focused. Next up is Sarcelle, but I think that I first must knit these inspired by the "Doomsday" episode of Dr. Who. After all, he stares at me every morning when I shut off my alarm.

The Origin of Love

Oh, Lola, you have the world's most perfect singing voice. I long to hear you sing "Baby, One More Time" or "Dirrty" or "Baby Beluga." And did I mention how you take the single most beautiful picture each and every time? Not just once, but multiple times. You put those girls on America's Next Top Model to shame - fierce, I tell you. And please, don't make me wax poetic on your ankles . . . their delicate nature is too much to handle. Oh, you want to know what all this is about . . . be patient!

Thanks for charting Shedir without the cable needle. I would have figured it out eventually, but I would have cursed the sun (not like I've seen it lately) and the cat before I would have figured it out. Honestly, I still have to so the little "make-an-L-with-your-left-hand" thing to get the twist and cables located correctly. And, with my fondness for using the JFK reference for the needle placement, I need all the help I can get. I have to say that Shedir is quickly becoming my favorite knit; I love the pattern, the yarn, the purpose. It's all good. Amazing . . . I can still find a knit to be in love with. The only problem, you ask? Well, I am knitting one for me as a test and one for the Flyer's sister who is undergoing chemotherapy. I am finding it a little slower than I anticipated and won't have hers done for a week or longer. Either way, I am loving the whole thing. I can see now why people go ape-shit over this yarn. When we are in London this summer, I will definitely send the Flyer shopping at Hamley's so I can score some Calmer in peace.

So, what was up with that opening paragraph? Guilt, that damn vestiage of Catholicism, has gotten the better of me. I am feeling a potential road trip coming on and I wanted you and Gus to join me. Think of all the knitting you can do and that one yarn shop might carry STR. Who better to drive 14 hours with? Besides, you aren't nursing any more so you don't have to flash your tits to the passing truckers . . . unless you really want to.

Ava

PS - I hope people realize that the blog titles very rarely have anything to do with the posts . . . they're song titles after all. If you haven't already seen Hedwig and the Angry Inch, check it out for all its trans-gender glory and rocking soundtrack.

Money for Nothing

Ava,

Before I get to the lovely Ms. Shedir, I forgot to talk about this during one of our many phone calls this weekend.   Gus needed a haircut .  He was starting to look like an 80's art student.  Like most 2 year-olds, he has a phobia of the cape and scissors.  After a number of melt-downs, I broke and went to a kid-friendly haircut place.  We go to sit down and the stylist asks, "Mom, would he like to watch Dora or the Wiggles?"  I answered, "I don't think either will help, he hasn't seen either one."  She looked stunned.  Later that weekend, we went grocery shopping.  He was in a foul mood, so we thought we'd try the kid-car attached to the shopping cart.  I couldn't move the cart, and a woman comes over and says, "It's a dollar.  There's a DVD player on it."  I shrug and move to the ole fashion cart, and she says, "No really, he can watch a movie while you shop!"  What the hell?  Can a kid stop watching a DVD for a second?  Please don't think that I'm getting on my soap box.  I don't have a problem with kids watching TV in moderation.  But anything in excess is bad.  Flash back to my freshman year of high school, it would prove that lots of "Silk Stockings" isn't a good thing. 

And now to the Shedir.  Doesn't Spidey look fabulous?  Can't really say anything else that hasn't already been said.  The cables are wonderful and the crown is gorgeous.  I used a US 2 circular from Knitpicks, and my pointer finger is still sore.  I wonder how much sharper the Addi Lace are than the Knitpicks Classic or Options?  If they're sharper, I won't be able to use them.  I added an extra repeat, and I probably shouldn't have.  It's plenty long.  I'm a little concerned with the stretch factor of Rowan's Calmer.  Let's test it this weekend in NYC & Philly!

-Lola

P.s. Finally made it through Babel.  I'm sorry, I love Brad Pit.  Even when they try to make him look average (gray hair and wrinkles), I still want to be the one that he has to help to pee in a pan.

Oh My Nola

Ava mentioned in an email that she bought some yarn for Shedir.  It reminded me that I had 2 balls of Calmer just hanging out in the stash.  Oh how I love having a sister that knits, because if I didn't start Shedir I may have stuck a needle in my eye.  I couldn't do one more row on Ripple.  To be honest, I probably could have, it's that addicting.  But I was afraid that I'd hate the afghan, & I don't want to hate her (yes, Ripple is a girl).  And the Baby Miter is on the verge of becoming a spiteful ex-boyfriend.  But I needed to knit something.  Enter, Shedir.

I love cable knitting.  I even like figuring out how to do each cable without the needle.  Charting it out.  Referring back to the chart.  Watching them just show up after a couple of repeats.  Usually, I'm used to doing cables that you do a cable row after 4 straights.  Shedir has a cable every other row.  Keeps it interesting.  I've got 3 of the repeats finished and I'm thinking about adding an extra repeat.  I've got a big noggin.  It's also the first time that I've used Calmer.  Delicious, but a little splity.  It kind of reminds me of TLC Cara Mia (Do you know how much of that stuff I have?  I still have no answer for the amount I bought).

Ava, I've got a plan.  This isn't for my trip, it's a plan for our future.  When we're crusty & crotchety, we'll live in a big house.  Drinking & smoking (at 90, I'm picking up the habit) all day long.  We'll be the ladies that the neighborhood kids spread rumors about while sneaking past our porch.   Since we grew up with a tiny kitchen, our new one will be lovely.  Stainless steel appliances, subway tiled back-splash, hardwood floors, & these dishes.  Can you image the holidays?  Sweet potatoes will never have tasted so sinful.  And then, we'll clear the table (Gus will.  My boy will do stuff after holiday dinners.) & serve up some dirty martinis.  We're in our 90s, so we don't need regular martini glasses.

-Lola