Two Black Sheep

All Day and All Night

We're busy getting our Fall started the only way we know how: Camping!  SK is obsessed with making Play Lists.  I'm nutty about finding campfire knits.  I never like to take something that will suck in the campfire smell.  This rules out big projects that I won't finish within two weeks after the tent has been stored.  I usually bring socks, but  I wanted something else this year.  When the Girls were visiting, I picked up Hat Heads.  This has been the first knit book that has gotten me really excited!  I can't remember the last time I bought a knit book.  I've been bored by recent pages.  I'm not sure what this book did to excite me.  It's full of simple beanie styled hats.  How difficult is that?  But I like the concept of knitting for friends.  Hats are a quick knit & there's nothing better for an uninterested Knitter.  So I promised the Girls hats.

I'm using Rowan Felted Tweed for both hats.  And true to form, this hat is completed!  Charted knits fly off my needles.  Watching the pattern form keeps me knitting when I should be sleeping.  I need to stop at the yarn store & grab another ball for the second hat.  With the second hat, I'm going to knit a little longer hat.  If that looks & fits better, I'll rip out this one and add some length.

Happy Labor Day!

Lola

p.s. Felted Tweed might become my favorite yarn.  Watch out Cascade.

Blame It

Betty left for her orientation at Temple on Monday afternoon (Veronica has hers on the 13th  . . it's a long story). I wanted to take the train with the girls so that we could acclimate ourselves to the location of the stop. What is it that they say about the best laid plans? Don't they usually come back and bite you in the ass? We hit construction and some rather bizarre directions from Mapquest, but still I persevered in the hopes of catching the 1:53 train in Lansdale. We arrived at 1:59. Luckily, Lola was at home to help with some directions because a 15-year-old map doesn't alway cut it. Granted, we took the most roundabout way of getting there, but we did eventually arrive on time (truth be told, we were a little ahead of schedule). So far, so good . . .  but I wound up deciding to buy a GPS unit after the debacle.

The Melon Shawl makes a reappearance

GPS? Odd little bit of technology. Veronica and I decided to let it guide us home. Our first quirk was the street Margate Hill. Huh? There is no street by that name, but Serena, our lovely guide, instructed us to turn into a nursery and proceed up that hill. Ummm, no. I have a feeling that it will take some getting used to. The thing that really bothered me was the lack of a case. This thing is so thin that I can use it when I am "exploring" other cities (and not calling Lola for directions), but throwing it into my purse without a case might prove the screen's downfall. I could buy one that is hideous and expensive . . . OR . . . I could knit one for it. So, I knit one, and I think it turned out pretty nice.

GPS Cozy being, well, cozy

This is the summer for forgotten knits and the Melon Shawl is taking center stage. I adore the yarn (what's not to love with Habu Cashmere), and the pattern is so damn easy to memorize. I'm about half way through and should finish that part of it over the holiday weekend. The edging takes some time but nothing major. The shop is having a book read for Summer on Blossom Street as well as a knit-along of the cable sampler scarf. I decided to use stash yarn (Louet Gems Fingering that was intended for knee socks . . . go ahead, have a laugh), and it is amazing. The stitch definition can't be beat, and the cables really pop. No clue what will happen to this scarf once I am done, but all in all a very fun knit (and a fun little book).

My favorite is the third one

We had horrible storms go through the area last Friday, and the clouds were something out of a sci-fi movie. I couldn't resist taking some photos . . . even as the little voice in my head was saying, "Umm, don't you remember all those stories about people being struck by lightning doing something dumb like this." Totally worth it!

Ava

Splishy Splashy

I was in the check-out lane yesterday and took a quick call from SK.  I told Tuck that I thought Daddy was on a Mom's Day Gift Mission.  The clerk then told me that "all those gifts don't mean squat in the end."  No kidding, but really?  Does anything matter in the end?

I don't care what she said, I am having a lovely Mother's Day.  My favorite one happened a couple years ago.  SK took Gus to visit his mom & left the house to me.  God it was perfect.  But today is coming in close second.  I got to sleep in.   My MIL came over to watch the boys so SK & I could also celebrate our anniversary.  Hummus, yum.  And we're dropping the boys off at a friend's house so we can see the new Star Trek movie.  I haven't gotten this much Boy-Free time since I was in the hospital having Tuck.  That's a pretty good Mother's Day if you ask me.

My last post, I was wondering if I could finish an 18 month sweater in a week.  Well, I didn't.  I finished a 24 month sweater in three days.  I started Manda Ruth almost immediately after I purchased the pattern.  I figured I had enough Kraemer's Tatamy Tweed Worsted in Merlot, but I figured for the smaller size.  Which means I ran out during the hood.  I tried everything to come up with an option to use only what I had.  All of the collars looked silly because of the seed stitch and I bought the pattern because of the hood.  I had to do it!  I tracked down another ball from Knitter's Mercantile & finished it before I hopped on the plane.

It really is an adorable kid knit.  Get to her store & buy one.  I was a little worried about the increases but Jane answered my email quickly.  After helping me get past my own nuttiness it was very easy & pretty quick, but aren't all baby knits?  I have one more to make.  Same size.  Different color.  I may wait though.  I'm thinking about starting a project that is going to involve some designing.  I'll post later about that one because I'm going to need some help.  It involves two sweaters, more tweed, & a pinch of humiliation for my kids during their teenage years.

Mother's, whether you celebrate it or not, enjoy your day!  Because in the end, it doesn't mean squat.  If it don't mean squat, you might as well have had a good day.

L

Nasty Dan*

*Check your libraries for a copy of Johnny Cash's Children album.  Fantastic!  I can't get the first song out of my head.

It's about time I pull myself together & get a post out.  All weekend, I was sucked into the blackhole called Facebook.  I spent a lot of my time reading friend's "25 Things you Don't Know About Me."  Ava & I thought it'd be funny to put:

19.  For the past 3.5 years, my sister & I have kept a secret knitting blog.

We didn't.

Lately I've been quite the accessory whore.  I keep spitting them out & not blogging about a single one.  I quit one & start another the same night.  I feel like a frat boy stalking the dorms on orientation week.  It began with a Felicity (Rav link) & some Dashings.  Dashings are being used & I'll photograph them at some point.  Excellent for buckling a baby into their carseat.  The Felicity wasn't as floppy as I wanted, so I needed a replacement.  While looking for the perfect hat, I finished a Thorpe for Gus, an Elfin for Tuck, & another Thorpe for SK.  I'll blog about the Thorpe soon.  I think that it deserves it's own post.  There's been some Thorpe drama in the house so it's only right to give it some blog time.  I think that I'm going to have to rummage the stash & start another one tonight.  I've been commissioned by a certain 3 year-old.  "No brown & green.  Just green.  Like Daddy's."

Since I got my haircut shorter than usually, I felt like I needed something more than my usual beanie.  Berets don't work on my big ass head.  They just look silly & pretentious.  I thought the Felcity would cover my requirements, but I needed more flop.  I've been stalking Alabone (another Rav link) for quite some time.  I love the loose fit & floppiness in the back.  A week ago, it was time to give Alabone needle time.  I had some Silk Garden leftover from my Lady Eleanor.  It was a quick knit & the yarn makes it so satisfying.  I really do love the final product.  It's a little more flashy than my normal choices, but I love it!  I finished it with a ball & about 10 ounces from a second.  I'm thinking about making a tiny version for the boys.

I think that I'm so attracted to accessories because of my current baby blanket.  The Modern Log Cabin is one of my favorite baby blanket patterns, but knitting this much garter can kill a girl's spirit.  The baby is coming at the end of May & I feel like I need to work on this project as much as my fingers can take.  I'm currently on the largest blocks of the blanket.  I just want it done so I can move onto other projects.  Hello Garter Stitch & Ceilte can you hear me?

During the Super Bowl, I didn't feel like attaching more of the brown yarn or doing more garter.  I reached for a pair of socks that needed a heel flap & some gusset action.  This is another project that has suffered.  Can someone please remind me to only knit plain socks?  I've learned this about my knitting self.  I like my socks plain & boring.  In the end, I know that I'll enjoy the finish product but I need simple for sock knitting.  Socks are my distraction & even a little bit of detail annoys me.

Whhheew!  That feels much better.  Showing you a little of my WIP basket gets me motivated. I need this blanket done.  Now. 

I'll work on some Thorpe insights & maybe share some info from the book in the picture.  Anyone get tired of telling your parents "Kids are different these days"?

-Lola

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.

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?

Big Legged Mommas are Back in the Style

Oh good god, we've got cable!  I think that if I had to miss The Office or 30 Rock, I may have lost it.  No power for almost a week, I can deal.  No Jim & this city would have had a problem.

I think that everyone will eventually have to go through an extended power outage.  We just got one sooner. So how did the Great Blow of '08 prepare us for the next black out? I've put together a list of tips & tricks.

If your child's daycare is closed for 2 days, give them plenty of new toys.  Gus was trying to lure Tuck into the basket by placing a book in the bottom.  I'm not sure what he would have done if Tuck had taken the bait.  We didn't get that far because Gus decided to wrestle with him.

Always purchase the large box of wine, you never know when a freak hurricane will hit.  I don't know why it should be a box.  I think it just sounds cooler when you're sitting in the dark.

When finding a book to read during a freak hurricane, don't pick a book about climate change.  While I really enjoy this book, it's not an appropriate book to read at this time.  But who kept reading it for the first 3 days?  Yep. 

If you choose to ignore the above rule, look at the Box of Wine rule.  If not by the fourth day, you'll be in the basement building a fabulous new bunker for your family.  That's not something to do without a couple glasses of Merlot.

When your husband (and your own sanity) kicks in & forces you to chuck the Climate Change book, don't read a cookbook. You'll only be attracted to recipes that start with "Preheat the oven to 400 degrees."  Thankfully, I found the new Mason-Dixon book the day after we lost power.  Ann & Kay saved me.  I also got The Gentle Art of Domesticity from my library the day before we lost power.  It was a nice book to look at, but no power equals no pretty domestic duties.

Never ever try to knit lace by the freakish glow of a halogen bulb.  Cleite didn't see much action during my week vacation from power.  I did rip Tuck's Trellis & started a knit that doesn't require light.  A nice little EZ sweater for the holidays.  Like Kay & Ann, it saved me.

Find places that don't need power & let your kid show you the way.  Gus loves maps, especially zoo maps.  He'd pull it out & show us the places we'd been & where we needed to go.  edit to rule: Never go to the zoo if your son got 4 hours of sleep.  Eventually that map will be crumpled up & thrown in the trash by your son.  Then you'll have to deal with a melt-down in front of the tigers because "My Map" is in the trash.

When the power goes out & you have a load of wet towels in the washer & dryer, go to the laundry mat immediately! If you ignore this rule for 3 days, enjoy the sounds of your husband dry heaving.  This is another reason why I could not block Amanda.  She'll get done today!

When you have no tv & only AM radio, use your kids for entertainment.  Gus & I watched Tuck toss his pacifier out of his crib.  Gus would give it to him & tell him "Don't do it again Tuck!"  When he'd toss it again, we'd belly laughed for 15 minutes.  And when Gus' teachers asked the kids if they had lights, Gus responded "Yeah we got lights, they're just outta power."  Good times, but I'm ready for some quality tv laughs.

When cleaning the fridge, go back to the Box of Wine.  The smell & sight of dried breast-milk was not an enjoyable way to spend a Monday.  At least the Great Blow forced us to get rid of those 3 year-old salad dressings.

It's so nice to be back.  I missed the Internet.  Ava & I were trying to figure out how to tell if eggs were bad.  She says "I'd tell you to go online, but that'd be mean."  I had to tell her that I actually went into the office before I realized that it wasn't going to work.

L

p.s.  Of course, I'd try to see if the new Knitty was up from my Blackberry.  Why make myself suffer?  When all of the schools were open, I hit the library.  I'm thinking of making L'illo in pink for my newest niece.  Tatiana made me smile at the library's computer dock.  Probably will never make them, but I love 'em.

With a Little Help From My Friends

I a BIG numbers person: make a wish every 11:11 (I think Lola was born at that time), marvel whenever a pattern emerges (love knitting obviously), and get tickled pink whenever someone adopts a date in this decade as THE day to do something. Think back to all the weddings last year on 7.7.07 or all the scurrying away from 6.6.06. Even this year, the Olympics big bang begins on 08.08.08 . . . but wait, there's more.

In case you don't read JenLa, and really why aren't you, you might not know that today La is launching her own line of hand-dyed yarns, Dizzy Blonde Studios.  According to La, "I'm a knitter and fiber enthusiast who has now ventured into the creative application of color to string as a new artistic outlet. Whether you'd describe my colorways as "subtly variegated" or "tonally shifting solids" they are fresh and unique." Her sock yarn is a light-fingerling 2-ply superwash Merino, and each colorway is named after the gorgeous blonde who inspired her. Since the yarn is hand-dyed in small batches, each hank will vary slightly even in repeated colorways (but you all knew that). So, check out her Etsy store and find a blonde of your own . . . just don't tell your significant others . . . we can't be held responsible for that conversation.

Tuesday was sewing day, more specifically bridesmaid dress sewing day. This was a dress that I took major care with, even going so far as to cut out a pattern for the circle skirt since I didn't want to listen to Mom complain about the girls walking down the aisle in raggedy hems (they are perfect, by the way). I timed myself threading the serger: 25 minutes. I timed myself sewing Betty's dress: 22 minutes. So, cross off my contribution to the wedding . . . we are done.

I'm heading into school today to see how much time I really have to spend unpacking. I wanted to be there by 8:30, but it doesn't look like that's going to happen . . . maybe 9:30 sounds a bit better. All Points West is this weekend, so that means Kings of Leon, Radiohead, and Sia. Have a lovely weekend!

Ava   

Blow the Man Down

Finally a FO!  This was a truly fast and dirty project that I enjoyed.  I love twisted knit stitches.  I think that it's because I really can't see a difference until a few rows have been completed.  There's a section in the pattern where you do a turning row.  That's where you see the difference between a sad and boring knit stitch and a sexy little twisted number.  The one thing about twisted stitches that irks me is how they don't like the other stitches.  Call them snobbish.  They seem to sit a little farther from the purl stitches which makes the rib not so tight.  SK has already asked for the same cap and I'll probably make one for myself before winter hits.  For details, click on the picture.

Currently, it's all baby knits around our house.  I have two friends that have announced their pregnancies, and I'm gathering steam for some baby blankets.  One of the friends is on Baby #2 and already is a the proud owner of the Moderne Log Cabin from MDK.   I really liked this pattern and am thinking about making it again.  I just need to decide if I should knit her the same blanket out of new colors or do a different pattern for Baby #2.  I'm also thinking about starting Curve of Pursuit.  But do I have it in me to complete that one?  It seems like I'd need lots of cables and brush off my short-row skills.  I've got to start making decisions and quick.

Last week, we got some "pickles" from our CSA.  I had no idea what to do with these suckers.  I've never canned anything in my life.  I remember our Grandma's shelves full of jarred veggies.  I think that we even had some of her veggies in our basement for years past their prime.  I really didn't want these pickles to go bad, but what to do?  If I can knit queen sized blankets, I can water-bath something.  Dammit, I can can!  I had to buy the jars and a large enough pot to cover those jars.  I used this recipe and got to work.  After fumbling around trying to get the jar out of the boiling water with tongs, I realized that I should have bought the canning tongs.  I'm lucky that I didn't burn my toes with all the water flying out of the pot.  I pressed the center of the lid down and didn't feel it move, so according to websites I processed it correctly.  Now we'll have to wait 2 weeks to try the pickles.  I'll bring them home for the wedding.  I bet they'd be delicious in Bloody Mary's.

Lola

Blue Sky

Goodness, this next month is going require a lot of patience, kindness & breathing.  Oh and lots of wine.  I took the boys home last weekend to visit with Mom and Dad.  Mom warned me that she just wasn't quite herself, and that she was having a hard time with the jet-lag.  Her version of "hard time" is different from my version.  The list in the picture is from a manic period I spent with Mom trying to list everything that needs to be done for the wedding.  But I think that things are under control and our family is in the final stretch of this wedding.  I'm trying to imagine the posts that will come from this blessed event.  The blog may finally be revealed when Ava and I are caught giggling around the computer.

I have some required knitting that needs to be finished within the next couple of months.  Amanda is on hold because I'm waiting for my 40 inch cable to return from Ava's house.  Mindless knit: Marsan Watchcap in Moda Washable Wool.  I really do enjoy this yarn and if you use a coupon, it'd be a great deal for almost 200 yards of superwash.  Has anyone used this yarn and how does it wash up?  Our friend leaves the first week of August and I'd like to have it done prior to him leaving.  1x1 twisted rib is slow going, but it's easy to do while watching 2 kids.  Regular ole knit: Tuck's Trellis in Lion Brand Wool Ease.  This is a sentimental knit.  I made Gus one in Wool Ease and I loved how he looked in it.  Like a young Mr. Rogers.  I'll try to dig up some pictures.  I doubt that I did a swatch for Gus'.  Why not?  I was a young knitter and it's a kid knit.  I really don't think that I did because I would have remembered the frustration!  I began this with another yarn and it would have fit Tuck in 4 years.  I tried it again with the Wool Ease and it would have fit Tuck in 2 years.  So I made a crazy decision to knit the smallest size on needles 2 sizes smaller than recommended.  If I could just remember the proper cabling without a needle technique, I'd be cruising.

Ava, we're real behind on ABC along.  I think that we need to play catch-up.  God we're lazy.

Lola

p.s. Burn, baby, burn!

p.s. again.  Kristen, we need you address for the winning contest entry!  Email us, please.