Thursday, February 22, 2007

Paillettes


Do we ever see enough sequins? Could there BE enough sparkle in any given day? No. No.



I am knitting. I am. But how many pictures of the Cable Sweater are you willing to look at? It is moving along at a glacial pace. Remember, I'm knitting on 3s.

I like it. But it is s. l. o. w.

Wednesday, February 14, 2007

Back to CA



When you travel - do you estimate your yarn properly? On this voyage to Minneapolis, I brought so much yarn! I mean, enough for 3 months. And, to be clear, the project is on TINY needles. I think everyone does this. But my hope is to avoid getting out on a trip, and running out of yarn. Especially on a "tough" trip, where you need the comfort of your knitting at all times.
It was COLD in Minneapolis. Of course it was.
I did have time for a little side trip to visit Karen at her store Needlework Unlimited. She was very welcoming and a gracious hostess.

Friday, February 9, 2007

Good night

I was closing the shop tonight when my cousin called me to tell me my Grandmother had just died.
My Grandmother was a strong strong woman; a real matriarch. She insisted that your glass was more than half full. I don't mean that she thought *her* glass was more than half full, I mean, everyone's glass was more than half full. She had no time for complaining or pessimism. She would have none of it.



Once when we were kids she took my brothers and I out to eat, she told us we could order anything we wanted, as long as we ate it. Anything? Yes, of course, anything. You just have to eat what you order because it is a shame to waste food. My little brother, who was exceptionally little then, ordered waffles and a rootbeer float. For DINNER. I think my older brother ordered two pieces of apple pie. I don't know what I had. I cannot remember. But I remember enjoying the wreckless look on thier faces. "Look at US! We are eating WHAT EVER WE WANT!"
She was always fair. There were no favorites.
She was a Minnesotan. And all of the 'love of snow', 'love of summer', 'go play outside' that went with it.

I will miss her dearly. I wanted her to be at my wedding.
I will endeavor to just go on and take the fierce, wonderful, POWER that she passed down, and be graceful about the end of her life.

Wednesday, February 7, 2007

two finished objects!


I finished the hoodie towel for baby Will.









Here is my Red Light Special, before blocking. I was pleased with the tension. Not too tight.









And a shot of the top of the hat after. This is really a great pattern.

Saturday, February 3, 2007

A baby towel


Friends of ours had a baby, Will. And I am making him a little hoodie towel to wrap up in.

Thursday, February 1, 2007

Red Light Special Hat



I am working on a hat I saw on Brooklyn Tweed's site: The Red Light Special.
It's a four color fair isle. It's really "interesting" knitting. (Is that a euphemism?) It has been fun to see what happens with the colors. Unpredictable. Delightful. Maddening. The chart is repeated four times around the hat. So the green yarn is just marking the quarter panels of pattern. To avoid any hint of scratchy hat syndrome I am using Cachemir Anny, an Anny Blatt Wool/Cashmere blend. It is a beautiful yarn to work with.