Two Black Sheep

The Shady Dame from Seville

Thanks for all the comments yesterday. It was just a combination of things that caused such an outburst on my part. Sometimes  just knowing that other people empathize makes it a little better.

So, back to the February Lady debacle. When last I was hopeful, I had a beautiful sweater that needed some blocking. I was just about ready to fill up the kitchen sink when I remembered that I had used the hand-wash feature on my front loader with great success on my socks. Why, I'll use it for my sweater and then block the bitch so that I could wear it the next night and the Flyer could wear his Cobblestone and we'd go out to dinner in style. After the washer finished the cycle, I thought, "Hmmm, I don't remember this much water the last time  . . . I'll just spin it out," because (and get this) I didn't want to dirty another towel . . . that's rich, don't you think?

Wrong choice. A little tumble, a little spin, a little tumble, a little spin . . . a very little sweater. Panic set in when I took out my (still sopping wet) felted sweater. I gasped, I screamed, I reached for the phone. SK answered and decided to "pretend" he was sleepy when he answered. Hell, he could have been sleeping but seriously, this was the very epitome of a knit emergency. Lola, after she grasped the full magnitude of the situation, suggested pulling the hell out of it and trying to salvage what could be salvaged. So, I put on a slightly less wet but will too wet to wear sweater and had Betty and Veronica pull the hell out of it. And then, the full reality of the situation set in.

In 20 short minutes, I ruined what I had worked on for six months . . . and I broke down in tears. Pre-felting, part of me was upset that it was a bit larger than I expected and wanted a twee bit of shrinkage but what I got was ridiculous. I tried to cast on for something new and figured out rather quickly that I had no business knitting anything in that state-of-mind. Blue Moon turned out to be my only comfort (the one that comes in a bottle, not the hank).

Tricia tried to help but even she had to admit that it might be lost. The girls won't wear it (not their style) and I know that I wouldn't fit into it in a long, long time. In the end, it might fit either Lola or the other sister or I might just hack it to bits and make a bag out of it. I do have to say . . . this yarn felts like a dream. If there can be one positive, it's that this might be the perfect felting yarn. The stitch pattern holds its shape, the silk provides a nice bit of texture, and the fabric of wonderful. The alpaca? That, Tricia says, was probably part of the problem. Apparently it adds to the "feltability" and you can basically felt alpaca just by carrying it around with you on hot days. Good to know.

Still, I love that sweater pattern . . . I'm thinking brown in a smaller size would be much more versatile. I have more than enough of Kraemer's Summit Hill in chocolate. And the best part? It's superwash.

Ava

PS - Whoever said that you can't felt in a front loader is full of shit, by the way.

S. A. D. Light

I hate today. That post pretty much summed up why. But I also hate it for another reason . . . the way other people make me feel. I'll never know what my parents went through in 1973. Hell, it still shocks and amazes me that they stayed together after Clark's death. But I dread when the day creeps up and the ringing of the phone with their number on caller-ID. I know what's coming and I hate it.

If I bring it up, I make my mom cry. She says something about what a cute baby he was, I say something about surrounding him with toys, but really we both know what isn't said: he's not here and we both wish he was. If I don't bring it up, as I chose to this morning, she rarely says anything. That ends well until the phone rings and it's my dad. His conversation begins equally light (this morning's was about all the snow days that we've had) but then he asks if I remember what today is . . . and all at once the pain and the tears that I have been trying so hard to ram in the back of my brain, throat, gut, wherever it is that I have hidden them, come exploding to the surface. Of course I remember what today is. I obsess over how I can manage the pain this year beginning around Christmas, especially if we have been home since Mom will have been thinking about it too. But nothing helps. Every year, I think I am one step closer to not crying, not feeling guilty for having a happy life, not exploding in anger, not sobbing at the sappy commercials, not dealing with it like a lunatic.

Yet here I sit, crying again, leaving slightly panic stricken voicemail messages for Lola, accepting the Flyer's hugs, and reverting to my three-year-old self. At least I don't have to work (I never go into work on the 28th . . . close friends know why, some understand, some think it is irrational) but there is a driveway to be shoveled, grades to update, knitting to complete . . . just with one less sibling to share it. And you know . . . I'll deal with it the same way I always have, shoving the tears a little further back, cramming the pain a little deeper, until next year when they explode to the surface and we're back to square one.

Ava

PS - Thank you for all the comments about the sweater debacle. I'll post photos of it later today and the complete explanation . . . I just have to bribe a daughter to model it for me.

You Dropped a Bomb On Me

Apparently the February Lady Sweater has a sense of ironic humor . . . and a new cousin: the February Lady Boiled Wool Sweater.

I felted my sweater . . . I'm getting a drink, possibly four.

Ava

B-Boys Makin' With the Freak Freak

Dear February Lady Sweater,

I feel I owe you an explanation. Last week, when you were last in my arms, I commented that we were almost ready to take our relationship to the next level. I know, I know . . . it sent tingles down my spine, too. I had the outfit all planned out: new dark jeans, chic gray t-shirt with a hint of the white tank underneath just peeking out, cowboy boots that have never seen a cow . . . and you. Perfect plan, my sweet. But then something more alluring sashayed on by and I was smitten.

You know I've never been a monogamous knitter. Quite the brazen hussy, I always have more on the needles than I have a right to. Should I shower Lady Eleanor with some love? Throw a little sugar to the long forgotten Miter Square Blanket? No, the Lily of the Valley Scarf needs some TLC. But this was different. It spoke to my very core, my gut, if you will.

It seems, FLS, that I've been taken an interest in the Wii Fit, and damn, I've fallen hard. Stepping on that Fit was challenging because I knew what was coming (and I don't really need a game to tell me I'm fat, thank you very much), but I'm throwing caution to the wind. I don't care what the other knits say: I am in love with the Wii Fit. Maybe it's the competitor in me, but I want to be the best at all the activities (and I kind of want to beat Lola and the girls). So, shame me, tell me my BMI isn't changing, say "Ohhh" with a slightly dismissive tone when I step on . . . Wii Fit, I'm your bitch.

The other knits will be there when I get back . . . I know I'll need a little knitting booty call after I finish with the Super Hula Hoop or the Bubble Float. But, my bestest sweater love, I'll give you a call tomorrow. After all, you have five inches on the sleeve to go and then mamma's taking you out for the expensive dinner. You know you'll take me back in a heartbeat. Tidy up, honey . . . I'm trading in the cowboy boots and wearing the f-me pumps.

Ava

PS - Why not see how Cleite is doing? I hear she's getting restless since Lola's been tapping her Wii Fit, too!

My Life Would Suck Without You

I really wanted to get some pictures taken of my WIP.  I've got a Garter Stitch Cardigan that could use some love & another Moderne Log Cabin that is quite beautiful.  But something has taken over.  We've had a 48 hour flu bug floating around our city & I'm the latest victim.  I'm positive that during this post I will have scuttled to the bathroom at least 3 times.  Thankfully I'm not as bad off compared to other accounts.  But one day on the couch & the house/office is destroyed.  So today will be full of cleaning, pooping, Tuck's well check, & actual work.

But I'd like to leave you with some favorites from the past couple of days:

Tuck was very clean with his cake eating.  Thank you little boy!

SK & I were attempting the Body + Soul detox.  Not a difficult detox.  However when you're sick, lentils don't taste that good.  On a good day, lentils don't taste that good without even a pinch of salt.  Stuff needs a little salt.  Just a little.

Because of the detox, I did cut back on my coffee intake.  Fell in love again with the tea shop.  Especially this one & that one.

I'm sore.  I'm sore from the flu, but I'm also sore from excessive Wii Fit play.  Not sure if you're suppose to do the number of reps they give you for one game or if you should hit Replay 3 times.  Right now, I'm guessing that you should do what they give you without hitting Replay.  I can barely walk.  SK looks very cute playing Hula Hoop & running on the Wii Fit Island.

Off to the bathroom.  Again.
L

Imaginary Girl

Finally, something to show for all the knitting . . . an official FO! Fern Glade - done (sorry, the newest season of Gordon Ramsey's The F Word began airing recently and we know how I love Chef Ramsey). Here are the specifics:

Pattern: Fern Glade
Yarn: Manos del Uruguay Silk Blend
Needles: Addi Turbos 3 and Knit Picks Options 4
Mod: Okay, let's acknowledge that usually my "Mods" really should be called "Fuck Ups" but the biggest and foremost would have to be the needle size. I've never read the metric version for the Imperial version - ever - but for some reason, I did this time. Meanwhile, I'm cursing the pattern, wondering why it is so tight, and how is this thing ever going to fit on my head. I should have learned a long time ago that it is never (well, usually never) the fault of the pattern but of the knitter. So, in place of the 6s that were called for, I used the 4s instead. But, it still fits quite nicely since it's on my head as I type.

Veronica, who really is a hat fiend and knits them quite well, saw it and asks who's it for. I replied pour moi. She then counters with, "Can I have it?" I know she takes German, but even she should be able to figure out that "pour moi" will not translate to "fur du" . . . but most of my hats have gone her way in the past. This one, I think, might be here to stay. I like the way that it comes off and doesn't cause the hideous hat head that most do and that it covers my ears without constant adjustment (my biggest complaint about Shedir, the only hat she hasn't poached). The next one will be one from Going Straight; I have it down to Windward, Enroule, or Strawberry Joe. Suggestions?

I picked up the sleeve stitches for the February Lady Sweater this morning and immediately began flogging myself for not doing it earlier. For some reason, I wasn't in the mood and it never registered that the sleeves would go so much faster than the body and that I would have a finished sweater when it was done. I'd love to have this baby done in time to wear on Thursday (jeans day at work and this begs for jeans and a cute pair of boots) so I'm holding out every shred of hope that I have left to finish it. When that happens, I am down to the Great American Afghan and the Lady Eleanor wrap. Sad thing is, one of the women in the class that I taught has finished TWO Lady E's since the class ended and I haven't knit a stitch since.

Enjoy what's left of the weekend and the games (if you like the NFL). I am really hoping for an all Pennsylvania Super Bowl but would settle with the Steelers only in the big game.

Ava

PS - I really think that the next "big" project will be the Doctor and Rose mitts for the Flyer and me. I'll post more on that next week.

A Very Merry Unbirthday!

Newborn Tuck

 

Big Boy Tuck

A year ago, I was sitting in a hospital bed in shock.  I was shocked by with how great I felt after the c-section (way less dirty than a vaginal birth) & how much this little baby didn't look a thing like his brother (where was the hair?).  He has been a complete joy from his first screams.  Bites & all!  With the second baby, I think you feel like you're going to start at the beginning of the race.  I knew the sleepless nights were coming.  I remember teething.  Time to start saying "No."  Start closing the basement door.  Hot!  Hooot!  I'm here to say that you don't start ahead of the other racers.  Maybe somewhere in the middle, but not at the start.  Each baby is completely different which starts the parenting game all over.  My two boys are different.  Gus started out fast & funny.  You could always reel him in if needed.  Tuck takes his time. But once he finds his speed, you can't stop him.  They are in love with each other.  Tuck needs to be with Gus & Gus finds things to make Tuck laugh.  It leads to some of the funniest things I've ever seen.

The past couple nights there have been a lot of noise coming from the bedroom.  In the morning, we usually find books scattered all over the floor.  I wanted to see what was really happening behind closed doors, so I hung out a bit last night.  Once I got Gus in bed, Tuck was standing doing his best Stevie Wonder impression.  We couldn't stop laughing.  While laughing, Gus says "Mom?  What happen to our boy?  What happen to our boy?"  He's just getting older & we love it!

Happy Birthday, my littlest!
L

Spotlight (Twilight Mix)

I was looking for a quick little "instant gratification" knit and thought that Fern Glade was the answer. I was wrong. Not that the project isn't great and lovely and perfect for me . . . it just isn't fast. The pattern isn't very "intuitive" (Tricia's words, not mine . . . but she's right as always) and I can't memorize this pattern for the life of me. The last row of the repeat screws me up every single time. I had such high hopes of a spiffy new beret just in time for the deep freeze that we heading into, but alas, I have a half done beret and a whole ball of yarn yet to go . . . at least it's Manos Silkie Blend. UGH!

Lola, thankfully, finally found her Wii, or rather, our mom found her one. She hasn't played it yet since she's been trapped in Michigan for work the past few days and just spent close to eight hours driving home (should have been about four) in horrible weather with a banged up and broken windshield wiper. The last call, at least, found her laughing. Apparently just when she was turning onto her street, an old truck spun out and she thought she was going to get hit, but it spun back and blocked her access to the street. Gus's response? "Mom, you missed the street." Priceless.

Ave

PS - I should have titled this post "Don't Cry For Me, Argentina" but since I am crushing on Mute Math big time, I went with "Spotlight." Why didn't anyone recommend this group to me before?

Yodeling the Blues

Thank you all for the nice things about my Curve of Pursuit.  I can't attend the baby shower, but I hope that she enjoys it as much as I do.  We try respond to every comment, but sometimes Typepad screws up.  So if you think we're being snotty, it isn't the case.  Our emails get bounced back sometimes up to 12 times.  We really appreciate every single comment here at Two Black Sheep.

SK & I are on a Wii mission.  We got sucked into the bowling/tennis/baseball madness.  And now I want one bad!  We got some info that there may have been a shipment to our city.  After I dropped the kids off, I hit some stores.  Nothing.  Nada.  Zip.  I did find a new obsession though.   I was going to get a cup of coffee for the shameful ride home, but I got sucked into the pretty ads.  I never get tea out because it's served way too hot, but I do love a nice cup at home.  I also don't like milk in my tea either.  Black for coffee & black for tea.  But there right before me was a pretty sign advertising the London Fog Tea Infusion.  I'll bite.  One please.  I'm hooked.  It's a bag of Earl Grey with milk & foam.  So sweet & delicious.  Try it.  I think you'll like it.

This picture isn't great, but he's a mover!  At least the hat wasn't ripped off a thousand times.  I bought  Wee Woolly Toppers the second I saw it on Carrie's blog & started the hat soon after.  I used some Debbie Mumm Traditions that I had in the stash.  I bought one skein just to see the results & it stayed forever in my bin.  What do you do with one skein of something?  I was so pleased with this yarn.  It isn't completely piled & the color change is more wearable than Noro.  There's also no sheep poop throughout the skein which makes the Traditions softer & less gross.  I love Noro because of the wacky color combo, but sometimes don't you wonder if the dyers were drinking too much?  Noro Silk Garden is soft, but it's still crunchy.  Moth poop maybe?  The pattern was well written & couldn't look cuter on Tuck.  I started another one from the book, but it's more of a floppy beret style.  Could be more rasta than beret & that might be an issue.

I'm hosting my first knit night.  I think that my days of being in the Knit Blog Closet are coming to end.  Not that I'm going to show someone a purl stitch & then say "Hey check this site out."  One friend, that isn't coming, did ask me on email if I knew about Ravelry.  SK said, "Tell her you don't know about Ravelry."  I looked at him with disgust.  "You don't lie about Ravelry," I told him.  I wouldn't be a good knitter if I didn't know about certain things.  I don't know about a lot of things but knitting is one thing I know.  Well sort of.  We'll how the second hat works out.

L

Ice Ice Baby

I feel like a crazy woman that has been living in the woods.  Well, it's time to leave the trees & walk into the shiny city below.  I needed to completely decompress after the holidays.  Even trying to put together a post is difficult & I've got things to show.  The holidays were good to us, but they were also exhausting.  Tuck got another ear infection the week of Christmas & then had flu like symptom on New Year's Eve.  There's been lots of carrying & a bunch of filthy diapers.  I think he's back to normal, so it's about time that I return to normal.

Let's look at the first FO of 2009.

I love knitting blankets.  I think that it's in my genes.  I can remember my parents' house so cold that you could see you breathe.  "Put a blanket on," mom would say.  At our maternal grandparents' house, they would hang big wool quilts in the doorways to lock in the heat.  I just think that it's important to have something that keeps you wrapped in warmth.  The knitter in me loves making blankets because there's never a fit issue.  I never have to make a swatch.  And I get to play with color.  And while I knit the blanket, I start thinking about what the baby will look like.  Or how the parents will react to the first time they get peed on.  You know the normal baby stuff.

I started this blanket for a friend.  I'm a cautious person.  But I let my excitement get the best of me & started it as soon as she called with the news.  They had been trying for the past year & I was ready to make her second baby blanket.  Soon after, she called with horrible news.  I kept knitting the blanket.  Should I give it to her when she does have a second baby?  Would that be improper?  I just kept knitting.  The same time that she called, we also found out that another friend was pregnant.  I still wasn't sure what to do with the blanket when I bound off the final stitch.  The blanket was for another babe.  I now realize I get really attached to my knits.  I showed SK & he said, "You have to give that to XYZ!  They'll love it."  And I'm pretty sure that they will.

This was a easy pattern with an obvious flaw.  With every round, knitting gets longer & longer.  The final triangles took 2 hours to complete.  That's 4 hours of knitting one round.  I love a huge blanket!  Even for the littlest of beings, I want a huge blanket!  But this blanket kicked my ass.  I could not bring myself to knit one more round on this blanket. The final blanket measures 37 X 37.  Should be okay for a baby.  

Curve of Pursuit
Needles: Denise Needles 7
Yarn: 3 balls of each Wool-Ease color.
Extra info: The 52 inch cable was necessary for this project!  Short-row by wrap & turn, not how they describe in the pattern.  It's a cleaner finish.

Oh, I got more FO.  I've been knitting for sanity, People!  I'll post as soon as I can get pictures.  This one was hard enough.  We're full of ice & no sun.

L