Two Black Sheep

One Year Down

You know that old saying, "You can't go home again?" Well, guess what . . . you can as long as you remember that you aren't in your 30's, but you're really about 13 and when your mom tells you to do something, you probably should. We visited Mom and Dad (and Betty and Veronica who were there for their annual summer visit) over the weekend, and things don't change that much as far as family dynamics go: we still go to Young's, we will play cards and drink a lot of beer (not the pregnant one), we might get yelled at for different things, and Lola still gets accused of exaggerating. The only thing different now is that we knit, which didn't happen when we were younger. That being said, it was a lovely visit and the girls had a blast with Gus. Even Livvie enjoyed herself when Gus decided that she needed to hear Carl Goes Shopping.

In my never ending quest for the perfect yarn for the Katherine Hepburn sweater from Lace Style, I thought I had it narrowed down to a few choices but neither one swatched up well. Personally, I think this sweater might become the bane of my knitting existence. Will it become my version of Lola's Half Dollar and hang like an albatross? Probably, but I know when to punt and pick a new sweater. Ariann she is and I'll pick up the Cascade 220 this afternoon for the 3/4 length sleeve version. It would be nice to have this wrapped up before school started, but I am not putting any bets on it.

So, today marks our one-year anniversary for the blog (we're counting the months spent on Blogger, dammit) so we thought we would have a little contest because we a) like free shit and figure others might too, b) like comments, and c) feel like it. Here goes: Gus loves to read, and I like to bring him books. I brought about 30 of the girls' old books, but I know that I'll buy him another one at Barnes and Noble later this week. Leave us a comment by 7:30 AM on August 2 and tell us what your favorite book was growing up. Gus will choose one comment at random  and ship you off some goodies that will probably include some sock yarn, some Soak for said yarn, and other stuff that we pick up along the way.

About those yarn haul photos? They'll have to wait . . . I bought some lovely yarn, and I mean lovely, at Yarnsmiths over the weekend, but I think I left it at Mom's house. I could ask her to take a photo and email it to me, but then she would want to know why and I'd have to think of a creative story that didn't involve a blog. I should get the yarn when I get the girls from Mom and Dad tomorrow. Until then, leave us a book suggestion . . . otherwise, I might have to read another truck book.

Ava

She Moves In Her Own Way

Ah, the lovely drive to Ohio! It fills Ava with such joy, such, happiness, such . . . a need for caffeine. The trip on Wednesday was completely uneventful other than PennDot cutting trees along the turnpike. That, my friends, is a sight to behold - just make sure that you have your hands securely gripping the steering wheel because it can be kind of frightful.

Needless to say, with both of us in the same city for a change, we have been shopping for yarn and material and generally cracking ourselves up. We are convinced that most people would look at us and say, "Losers," whenever we are laughing (and I am sure that Lola's OB/GYN didn't find us that funny), but if you have a sister or a best friend, you know what we are talking about.

Gus has been asking about every single noise known to God and man. Betty and Veronica are in for a treat tonight as we are heading home to see Mom and Dad for the weekend. You know what that means . . . no blogging or reading blogs since they still don't know about our little endeavor.

We'll post pictures of the haul (yarn and material) on Monday. We're thinking about having a little "Happy One Year Anniversary" for the blog so stay tuned. No Fiberlicious Friday post this week . . . instead, a postcard that I bought for Lola in London. Something about it screamed, "Buy this for your sister, dumb-ass!" Ah, sisterly love!

Have a lovely weekend, stay dry, and knit up a storm. We'll be enjoying a play in the park tonight as well as saying, "Remember that time when . . . ?"

Lola and Ava

Ring of Fire

We're still obessed with all trucks in the Lola household.  Any type of truck will do; deliverly, rescue, worker, & especially firetrucks.  On the route to daycare, we pass a worksite.  So twice a day, I hear this from the back seat, "Ooo Momma!  Look at that big thing!"  We know the names and jobs of most trucks.  It's only when we pass a mysterious one that stumps Momma, that I hear a quiet & sad, "Oh" come from the back seat.  It was an obvious choice that when I wanted him to model the finished Wallaby that a firetruck had to share the spotlight.

The Wallaby isn't blocked yet, but it's still a great knit.  If you've read the previous posts, you know my struggles with this project.  Mainly, the yarn choice was my headache.  Even on Thursday night, I really thought about scrapping the project.  I'm really glad that I didn't.  There is nothing more comfortable than a hoodie.  The minute I slide it over his head, I was happy.  It fits him perfectly & he didn't seem to mind the itchiness of the wool.  The only modification is the seed stitch borders.  If I have an excuse to use seed stitch in a small dose, I will.  I find no end product more satisfying than a couple rows of seed stitch.  Even with my yarn issues, I will be making another Wallaby.  I'm starting to wonder about an adult version.

I started TBA's BSJ last night.  I had to call Ava & ask her about the marked decreases.  Did some googling. Scratched my head & pondered way too hard at the pattern.  In the end, I ripped once & began again.  I think I'm on the right path now.  I think.

I've got to talk about something.  I'm not one of those people that has a comfort food that heals a wounded heart.  I don't turn to a plate when I've got an icky feeling.  I love a good plate of wings or bowl of chili, but it doesn't fix my problem.  My comfort item is TV.  Not regular ole TV, but nice and trashy reality show.  Anything that will teach a lesson.  If you do meth or run from the cops, you will be found roaming the streets (Cops).  No life plan?  You may find yourself in your aging boyfriend's house with his 2 other girlfriends pretending to love him & not having a way out (Girls Next Door).  If you live with 7 strangers, figure out what character you were "chosen" to play & whoop it up (Real World).  And please, please practice giving life to your eyes prior to the photoshoot (America's Next Top Model).  Most of my comfort TV, isn't scheduled.  I'm curled up on the couch and start flipping through the guide.  Usually, SK comes in & is disgusted  He's really disgusted with my current affair.  I'm in love with Rock of Love.  I didn't want to love it.  Really I swear, I didn't, but how can you resist the power of Rock?  There are so many life lessons that I can't even begin to jump on the soapbox.  It's just good plain dirty fun on Sunday nights.

I've got to work so I can finish cleaning the house for Ava's visit.  I know that she'll tell me not to clean, but she's a nice excuse to freshen up the diaper pail.
-Lola

There's a Place

I'm not sure if we've posted this nugget of info, but Ava's coming to visit next week.  Obviously, our house is buzzing.  OK, fine, I'm more buzzy than SK.  He realizes the conversation in the house will littered with phrases such as: "Have you felt this yarn yet?"  "No really, look at the camera again!"  "Can you believe Mom said that?!"  "Do you want me to pop that zit?"  I guess you can't blame him?

I think that I'm more of a planner than Ava, so here's a list of Shit I Hope to Accomplish While Ava's Visiting:

• Start Melon Shawl
• Not buy anymore Sock yarn when we visit 3 LYS
• Don't get talked into any more patterns/ books
• Play with Ava' new camera & try not to fall in love immediately
• Test out Sarah's pasta recipe
• Desperately talk the OB into  telling us what we're having during a 15 week ultrasound
• If he won't, threaten him with a visit from our mother for every appointment afterward
• At said appointment, hear the Dr. say, "You're having another boy."
• Keep Ava from passing out at the ultrasound appointment
• Play with Ava's camera again & entice SK into buying one that very day
• Knit & gab with some of my very favorite ladies in the world (B & V are coming the following week).
• Count how many times this kid says, "Where's Flyer at?"

That's the list & I'm pretty sure it's all doable.

Here's how I spent my Thursday night.  In the hurry to finish the Wallaby, I fucked it up.  I had 20 extra stitches on the front half.  I swore that I double counted when I attached the sleeves, but I must have been delusional.  So, I had 2 options, both involved a good frogging.  Since I'm still out on the feel of Peace Fleece, I could frog it completely and save the yarn for some slippers.  Or I could frog back to the point of sleeve attachment & begin again.  Since I'm tired of being a Knit Quitter, I opted of #2.  The durability of Peace Fleece lends itself well to an easy frogging, no crochet hooks were needed.  While SK is waiting to discover if one of our favorite heroes lives or dies, I'll be knitting on the Wallaby.  I want this project done!
-Lola

Beat's So Lonely

Not sure if this even constitutes a "Fiberlicious Friday" post, but here is my lame attempt at it. Amazing what a new toy will inspire one to do. I took one quick photo of the Flyer last night, but I plan on figuring out how to do self portraits of the two of us; seventeen plus years of them seems too long to throw away simply because of a new camera.

The Handmaiden SeaSilk is truly a yarn to die for . . . but I don't know what to do with it. Lola suggested the scarf from the summer issue of Interweave Knits so that is a possibility. Any other suggestions? I have one hank in the Rose Garden colorway.

 

Hydrangeas are my favorite flower and, ironically enough, there are three mature bushes on our property. None of this is due to my gardening skills (nothing going on in these thumbs except ineptitude), but the one in the back yard is blooming in all its goodness. I couldn't resist using the macro function on it. Humor me, people . . . I promise there will be photos of knits coming soon (as soon as those sock blockers get here).

Ava

Periscopes

Warning: This post is photo heavy . . . explanation to follow. You have been warned!

The girls left yesterday for Ocean Grove, New Jersey; they have been going on an annual shore trip with their friend and her mother for about five years now. Looking back on my annual trips when I was 16, I can only think of one . . . it involved fluoride and a good lecture about flossing. Any way,I hope the weather holds out for them. After their mammoth trip around Germany and all points Germanic in the rain and the cold, a little relaxation in the sun would be nice. If you live on the East Coast, you know that isn't likely. Sorry girls . . . your father is enjoying St. Augustine, just in case you're interested.

So, the camera is with Betty and Veronica in Ocean Grove . . . what to do, what to do? I know! Buy a new camera! I admit to having photo envy these days. So many blogs have these lush, lovely photos and I am stuck with crappy pictures "artfully" arranged and it leaves me thinking, "Time to bite the bullet and upgrade to a different camera." Actually, it's all Lola's fault. "You're coming to visit in one week so that leaves you six days to buy the Nikon. Get cracking!" Yes, ma'am . . . I'll do it.

Never mind that I was on the toe for the final Monkey. Never mind that I was planning on a trip to Purl (stupid weather conspiracy). Never mind - oh, fuck it, never mind my ass and buy the camera. It took all of my restraint to finish the Monkey while the battery charged and then have some fun. I haven't read the manual all the way, and granted, it took me an hour to figure out how to zoom (years of hitting a button will suck the twisting feature right out of a girl), but I love this camera. It's like Dyson love all over again.

I'm waiting for the sock blockers to do a full on post about the Monkeys, but you can see the finished product for yourself. I tried for one of the "Let's focus on the sock in the distance and have the foreground fuzz out" shot and kind of liked the result. Let me know what you think!

In true knitting news, I cast on for the second Embossed Leaf sock and forgot that when I did the other pair, I didn't know how to purl at the beginning of the rows with Magic Loop, and I can't remember if I used an Addi 1 or 2 since the pattern calls for a 2 (2.75) and the Addi is a 2 (3.0). I think I used an Addi 2, but I can't remember. I do remember that I hated this pattern so much, but now I can't remember why. Maybe I should get rid of all the aluminum pans, Lola. Think that will solve it? Anyway, the socks are going to my mother (who still doesn't know about the blog, thank you very much) on top of a pile of material and a pattern for Amy Butler's Weekender Bag. I am smart enough to admit defeat and know that our mother can sew circles around any other person. Sorry, that is just a simple fact . . . she is amazing!

Ava

BG fight song

There will be no knitting content or gross bodily functions.  Your welcome for the later.

After our Friday night wedding, we decided to blow through our Alma Mater.  I had a craving for the best wings this side of Buffalo, & we left the Pup with Mom so we were free to explore.  I know why there are hundreds of songs written about Home.  It's true, there's nothing like going home.

SK & I met during my second year of college.  It was also my first year living off campus.  My roommates & I picked an apartment near some boys that we had become friendly with during Freshman year.  Truth be told, we all had a huge crush on SK's best friend.  On the weekends (ok, some weeknights), we'd return from the bars & hang out at their house.  The next day when we'd discuss the details, we all agreed that SK was quite the prick.  I didn't understand his sense of humor, if you could call it humor.  Somewhere throughout the night, he must have been charming.  I'd see him on campus & I'd wave "Hello".  But I was greeted with an expression that read, "Who the hell are you & why would you think that I'd wave back?"  I'd question his annoying/rude behavior the next weekend, & he'd say "That's my twin."  Since we all felt he was an asshole, this was the Asshole response we expected.  A couple months went by & one Friday night, there were 2 SKs at the party.  I think that I've confused SK & his twin one more time in our 11 years. 

The folklore of SK & Lola would begin a few weeks later.  According to SK, I was returning home from an ex-boyfriend's room.  He & his best friend were on the porch.  Apparently, I was sobbing over this ex-boy.  SK decided at that moment, he'd never make me cry.  Since in his mind he's being sweet and gallant, I don't push the following fact.  I've cried over boys, but I swear that I NEVER cried over that boy.  Either way, that's the start of our lovely family.  There's a whole mess of story in-between, but no one, including myself, feels like rehashing those mushy details. 

From the minute that we pull off the highway & down college's Main Street, you feel like you're 21 again.  Feelings of young love, freedom, & giddiness come back.  It's odd because within the last 4 years, feelings of regret & fright have been creeping in.  B & V, if you're reading, don't do the stupid things I did.  I'm grateful that I'm alive.  Not that I did anything outrageous, but age gives you insight.  Stalkers should have been taken more seriously.  Forgotten nights should have been a reason to take it easy the next night.  And if you think not shaving you legs & wearing a padded bra will keep you from making out with a Soccer Stud, think again.  Now you have to explain your dirty ass.

::Great all-night diner food, if you like the cook's cigarette ash as the seasoning on your burger::

::Our favorite bar.  We were there so often that my roommate continued to use her fake id after she was legal.  When we felt a duty to tell them her real name, they were mad & hurt by the revelation::

::Have you ever seen anything so delicious?  This is common place for the home of the National Tractor Pulling Championships::

p.s.  Anyone else watch Victoria Beckham's realty show?  Anyone else find it Fantastic & Major, or are Ava & I just pathetic?

Ring Ring

Thank you for listening to my disgusting pregnancy hang-ups.  I do believe that the coal miner shits are coming to an end.  The hair issues will be dealt with tomorrow.  Nothing like chopping off you hair while your hormones are fucking with you on a daily basis.  But again, thanks.

I was planning on posting some pictures from our mini vacation, but that will wait.  The work meeting was a work meeting.  I did have one first time Preggers tell me all the things that I was doing wrong (No fish, no cheeses, no coffee & no non-alcoholic beer).  I had to remind her that I still have a flabby belly from the first baby, & some of her info was correct for the Pregnancy Nazi.  Moderation, sweetie.  I'm not drowning in coffee (maybe 2 cups), throwing back a 12-pack of O'Douls in 3 minutes (I still don't think that would have enough alcoholic in it to effect anything.  Did you know that OJ has the same amount of alcohol as NA beer?), or eating salmon for all 3 meals & a snack.

The wedding was what any dry Friday night wedding could be, boring.  No dinner until 10 p.m. makes anyone cranky.  Frozen wedding cake will royally piss off a pregnant woman.  But the setting was gorgeous & Gus did pretty well. 

I'm making progress on the Wallaby.  I've attached one sleeve & will soon finish the other.  I love sweaters in the round.  I know what a flat sleeve looks like, & I understand what a flat raglan front should resemble.  Each time I make a flat sweater, I stare at them like an idiot.  I've been around pattern pieces for as long as I can remember, but I'm still in awe of the first person that said, "This is what a back piece should look like."  I like things that just appear to make perfect sense.   There's a large round tube for the body.  And look, two more for some sleeves!  Amazing.  Don't come to our house when we've returned from Ikea.  I just sit in front of the tiny box saying, "How is this going to become our enormous shelving unit?"  But in the end, 2 missing bolts or missing sleeve stitches, the product seems to works.  You just hope that it stays together.

I love airport knitting.  I always get more done waiting for my plane to reach the gate.  I finished the foot during the flight to New York.  I would have finished the heel on the return, but the woman sitting next to me was chatting with some ladies in the lobby.  I wasn't taking the chance that she'd want to talk during the flight, so I whipped out my book instead.  As much as I love spreading the joys of knitting, I love a silent flight even more.  Only one time do I regret not talking to other person in my row.  It was a couple years ago & it was a late flight.  This guy was yakking away about everything.   He was super religious & I think he was on a mission to save me.  I pretty sure he spotted me in the bar prior to take-off.  Once I could move, I politely excused myself.   Drank my over-priced beer in peace until we hit a cluster of shitty weather.  The pilot is trying to land us and the whole cabin crowds around my old partner and starts praying with him for a safe return to the ground.  I just kept thinking, "Great.  Perfect.  Karma, dumb-ass."

I'll post tomorrow with some photos from SK & I trip down memory lane.  Oh how I miss college days.  Not the poverty of it all, but the freedom.  Only now do I realize that very same freedom could have gotten me into some very real trouble.  But still I have fond memories of sleeping until 2 p.m., exploring a stranger's backyards, eating/drinking whatever you had enough money to pay for, & no deadlines but one for graduation.  Please take me back!

Baker Street

My sock pal socks are done! Yippee! Rejoice! Hallelujah! I'll post photos after I block them later this week. From start to finish, they were truly wonderful to knit. The pattern I chose will be used again for socks of my own, but for now I asked myself, "What kind of sock do I knit next?" I'll admit it, I caved and gave into peer pressure. Monkey was cast on last night in Puck's Mischief from STR. I have been lusting, absolutely lusting, after this yarn for so long and even went so far as to tell Lola that it is off limits. She picked up Lucy and I got Puck. Good deal for all. Monkey has truly been a dream to knit and it quite fast as other's have reported. I like the fact that Cookie provides a chart and directions; I am a directions kind of girl and it has made the memorization all the much easier.

The London Shrug, now named the London Fug, grew exponentially on the trip. Chalk it up to wear, tear, and cotton yarn knit at a gauge too large for it. The first photo is of the shrug right off the needles. The second photo is after wearing it for three days and seaming the arm holes so that they were a bit tighter. I see no other alternative but to frog this fucker and knit something new from the Calmer. My favorite yarn let me down this time . . . it was probably my fault. I bought the Calmer Collection years ago and fell in love with Hush. Back then, I didn't think I could knit anything so fancy. Now, I know better. I might knit Hush, I might not.

The Flyer and I were going to take a trip to Denyse Schmidt's studio in Bridgeport today, but I thought it might be a fool's errand. I love her quilts, but I really want to make one on my own. I was tempted to go just to buy some material, but I decided that a little train trip to Purl might be in the making on Tuesday or Wednesday. Anyone up for a day in the city? Just a thought that is percolating in my brain.

Ava

PS - Lola's been on a business trip followed by a wedding. If you left a comment to one of her posts, I am sure she will email you when she gets back. I've only talked to her once since Wednesday . . . must be a record or something.

Take the Box

Ah, a nice heel turn can make anyone's day . . . maybe not anyone, but for me there is nothing better than turning the heel. It says, "The end is in sight. Keep knitting!" If you read the last post from Lola, apparently I should have asked her how her day was during our brief conversation. I guess jackhammers and icky concrete fumes can do anyone in. Here's hoping that her business trip to Pearl River is going well.

City Market in Brussels, 29 June 2007

The end is, in fact, in sight for the second sockapalooza sock. Can I just say that I love this stitch pattern? I'm not memorizing it as fast as I would like, but hey, if that is my only draw back, so be it. STR is truly a dream yarn to knit with, even if I am finding that one sock striped nicely while the other is more toothy. I already am planning the next pair of socks which brings me to my first question: how do you translate a sock pattern to toe up? I love many of the patterns that I have found like these two, but I love knitting toe up even more. Just how do I convert the pattern? Knit the chart from the top down and backwards? Ah, the questions I have.

Another question, and this might be best addressed to Cara, the Queen of the Miters, is how much yarn does one miter take for both yarns? To me, the miter is the ultimate portable project (pattern is easy to memorize, it doesn't take up much room in my purse), but lugging around a hefty ball of yarn cuts down on that portable. I could rip out a miter that I don't really like and measure each yarn OR someone could have had the foresight to have done this before and already knows the answer.

British Museum, 1 July 2007

Sorry for the short post, but someone (Veronica, that would be you) would like to practice driving. Shame I can't drink while she is driving . . . that might make it a bit easier on dear old Mom. I swear that I am a loving mother, but the prospect of driving with my daughters fills me with dread. Honestly, I don't even like driving with the Flyer . . . something about not having a brake peddle in the passenger seat.

Ava

PS - Check out the winning Simpson's Movie! I am embarrassed to say that our hometown, Lola, submitted a horrible entry. I just didn't get it at all. The 7,442 votes it got must have been sympathy votes . . . did you recognize anyone? I think I may have, but not enough to admit to it.